Reoptimization for Great Power Competition

“I’m extremely proud of the Space Force and all the good it has accomplished. But, as good as we are, as much as we’ve done, as far as we’ve come, it’s not enough. We are not yet optimized for Great Power Competition.”

~ Chief of Space Operations
Gen. Chance Saltzman

The establishment of the U.S. Space Force was a direct response to threats arising from Great Power Competition in the space domain. Nevertheless, our legacy roots leave us sub-optimized for the security environment confronting us today, and we must finish fine-tuning the service to continue meeting its National Defense Strategy responsibilities

In early 2024, the Department of the Air Force unveiled sweeping plans for reshaping, refocusing, and reoptimizing the Air Force and Space Force to ensure continued supremacy in their respective domains while better posturing the services to deter and, if necessary, prevail in an era of Great Power Competition. Through a series of 24 DAF-wide key decisions, four core areas which demand the Department’s attention will be addressed: Develop People, Generate Readiness, Project Power and Develop Capabilities.

The space domain is no longer benign; it has rapidly become congested and contested.

We must enhance our capabilities, develop Guardians for modern warfare, prepare for the high intensity fight, and strengthen our power projection to thrive and win in this new era of Great Power Competition.

Video by Sgt. William Holdaway

Marines Unmanned Vehicle-Ground Unmanned Support Surrogate (GUSS) BROLL

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific

July 15, 2014 | 2:45

U.S. Marines and civilians with the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab conduct experiments using the Ground Unmanned Support Surrogate (GUSS) 10-13 July, 2014 at the Kahuku Training Area on the island of Oahu in Hawaii during the Marine Corps' Advanced Warfighting Experiment. The GUSS is a multi-use vehicle that can be used from resupply to casualty evacuations with or without a driver. There are multiple technologies being tested during RIMPAC, the largest maritime exercise in the Pacific region. This year's RIMPAC features 22 countries and around 25,000 people. (U.S. Marine Corps motion imagery by Sgt. William L. Holdaway)