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 Tech. Sgt. Andrew Jackson

Hawaii National Guardsmen transition to thermal imaging to screen incoming passengers at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. - no GFX

State of Hawaii, Department of Defense, Public Affairs Office

Aug. 6, 2020 | 1:28

Hawaii National Guardsmen who have been screening passengers at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport have received a technological upgrade thanks to the new thermal imaging cameras installed by the Hawaii State Department of Transportation.
The Hawaii Guardsmen who were activated in March to support the statesʻ response to the COVID-19 pandemic have been augmenting the Airport Fire Department.

Chief Martinez Jacobs - Daniel K. Inouye International Airport Fire Department

Until recently the screening was accomplished by a team of four to six Solders and / or Airmen wielding manual thermometers. Passengerʻs temperatures are now monitored by the Hawaii National Guard Soldiers and Airmen via thermal imaging as the travelers and crew exit the jetway. This process cuts the footprint of the Guardsmen down to two per flight and makes the process more efficient, all the while keeping every one socially-distanced. The passengers images are not saved to any system and the image cache is automatically dumped after fifteen to thirty minuets. (U.S. Air National Guard Video by Tech. Sgt. Andrew Jackson)