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 Petty Officer 1st Class William Dodge

Exercise Dynamic Mongoose 2020

Natochannel

July 10, 2020 | 1:42

NATO maritime exercise Dynamic Mongoose ran off the coast of Iceland between 29 June and 10 July 2020. Ships, submarines, aircraft and personnel from six Allied nations took part in the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare training. Submarines from France, Germany, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States under NATO Submarine Command joined surface ships from Canada, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States. As the host nation, Iceland provided logistical support in Reykjavik. Maritime patrol aircraft from France, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States also supported the exercise. In total, five surface ships, five submarines and five maritime patrol aircraft participated. This footage was filmed aboard the Norwegian frigate HNOMS Otto Sverdrup between 29 June and 10 July 2020 and includes several shots of personnel conducting fire containment and damage control drills, exercises with the submarine HNOMS UTSIRA and exercises with remotely operated vehicles.