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. Kyler Chatman

Soldiers assigned to 8th Theater Sustainment Soldiers, Department of Defense Contractors, and elements from the U.S. Navy downloaded military vehicles and containers as part of APS-3 from the U.S. Naval Ship Watson.

8th Theater Sustainment Command

Nov. 30, 2022 | 8:37

Soldiers assigned to 8th Theater Sustainment Command, 25th Infantry Division, 599th Transportation Brigade, 402nd Army Field Support Brigade, Department of Defense Contractors, and elements from the U.S. Navy downloaded military vehicles and containers as part of the Army Prepositioned Stock 3 Fix-Forward (Afloat) from the U.S. Naval Ship Watson at Honolulu, Hawaii, Nov. 29, 2022. The APS-3 mission demonstrates the 8th Theater Sustainment Command’s command and control of the APS-3 operations and assesses the operational flexibility to ensure strategic readiness. As the U.S. Indo-Pacific materiel integrator, the 8th TSC synchronizes capabilities and resources across the theater, enabling both our land forces and those of our allies and partners. Our mission is to plan, integrate, and synchronize theater distribution and sustainment operations with our joint logistics enterprise partners, stabilizing and securing the Indo-Asia Pacific Region. (Photos by Sgt. Kyler L. Chatman, 8th TSC Public Affairs)