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 Lance Cpl. Enge You

Marines with 2/7 conduct Range 410A at night during ITX 1-25

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center

Jan. 16, 2025 | 3:19

U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, conduct platoon attacks at Range 410A as part of Integrated Training Exercise 1-25 at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Jan. 16, 2025. Through realistic scenarios and decentralized decision-making, Marines enhance their lethality by empowering leaders at every level to adapt, communicate, and execute in dynamic and contested environments training small-unit leaders in maintaining operational effectiveness and achieving mission success. ITX prepares units to mobilize geographically dispersed forces while increasing combat readiness, lethality and command and control of battalions and squadrons across the full spectrum of warfare. (U.S. Marine Corps Video by Lance Cpl. Enge You)