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 Staff Sgt. Brooke Rogers

U.S. and Sweden Bilateral Training 2025 Week 1 B-Roll

31st Fighter Wing

June 11, 2025 | 1:06

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 57th Rescue Squadron based out of Aviano, Italy, and Swedish air force rangers based out of Ronneby, work with the 1st Helicopter Squadron to execute focused bilateral training at Kallax Air Base, Sweden, Mar. 30th through June 14th, 2025. The 57th RQS sent a small specialized team composed of TACP, intelligence, communications and survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialists to integrate with the Swedish air force rangers. Together they executed live, full-mission profiles to develop and test tactics, techniques and procedures for the ever evolving battlefield in unmanned aircraft systems, counter-UAS and infiltration methods for traditional and non-traditional personnel recovery. (U.S. Air Force video by Staff. Sgt. Brooke Rogers)