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 Spc. Michael Germundson

Oregon Soldiers, Bangladesh Armed Forces train together during Exercise Tiger Lightning

115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

March 14, 2023 | 1:47

Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers participate in Exercise Tiger Lightning at the Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training (BIPSOT) near Gazipur, Bangladesh in March 2023. Tiger Lightning 2023 is a bilateral exercise sponsored by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and hosted by the Bangladesh Armed Forces. The exercise works to strengthen Bangladesh peacekeeping readiness, promote interoperability, and reinforces the partnership between the Bangladesh Armed Forces and the Oregon National Guard. Since 2008, the Oregon National Guard and Bangladesh Armed Forces have worked together as partners under the National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program, which supports the security operation objectives of the U.S. and the Combatant Commands by developing enduring relationships with partner countries and carrying out activities to build partner capacity, improve interoperability, and enhance U.S. access and influence while increasing the readiness of the U.S. and partner forces to meet emerging challenges.