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 William Graver

Just-in-Time Multi Mission Airmen/Warfighters (JITMMA/W) at ANG Northern Strike 24-2

Air Force Research Laboratory

Aug. 8, 2024 | 2:57

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) demonstrated progress on the Just-in-Time Multi Mission Airmen/Warfighters (JITMMA/W) project during the ANG Northern Strike 24-2 (NS24-2) exercise. During NS24-2, the Human Effectiveness Directorate’s Warfighter Interactions and Readiness Division (711 HPW/RHW) provided just-in-time training for KC-135 Hot Pit Refueling at the Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airfield in Oscoda, Michigan. The JITMMA/W team focused on an Agile Combat Employment (ACE) scenario at a Forward Operating Base (FOB)/Contingency Location where the appropriate POL/Maintenance (MX) personnel were unavailable but the mission of refueling the aircraft still had to be accomplished.

JITMMA/W empowers Warfighters to execute a broader array of mission tasks in remote, challenging environments while using fewer personnel. It offers on-demand capabilities to address new tasks and situations, enhancing readiness by providing secure, continuous access to training materials and support tools exactly when needed. The exercise provided the team with significant feedback and lessons learned. It enabled the program to make great progress toward providing warfighters with a just-in-time training capability in austere environments. (U.S. Air Force video by Mr. Will Graver, BAE Systems, Inc)