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 Senior Airman Christa Ross

165th Airlift Wing puts agile combat employment to the test during exercise Faint Horizon

165th Airlift Wing

March 9, 2025 | 1:24

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 165th Airlift Wing, Georgia Air National Guard, put their their readiness to the test, proving their ability to rapidly mobilize, generate combat power, and execute the mission in a contested environment during Exercise Faint Horizon, March 6-9, 2025 at Savannah Air National Base, Georgia. In a high-tempo training scenario, Airmen honed war fighting skills by navigating high-stress operational challenges, demonstrating mission readiness, and reinforcing their ability to respond to real-world contingencies. (Air National Guard video by Senior Airman Christa Ross)

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