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. 1st Class John Etheridge

Exercise Cartwheel 2019: Bittersweet moment as Fijian and American Soldiers say Farewell at Closing Ceremony

U.S. Army Pacific Public Affairs Office

Aug. 15, 2019 | 1:23

Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Inf. Combat Brigade, 25th Inf. Division from, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and 3rd Infantry Regiment of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces hold a closing ceremony for Exercise Cartwheel in Labasa, Fiji July 29, 2019. The U.S. Army Pacific sponsored exercise centered around infantry training events, civic action in local schools and humanitarian programs in and around Vanua Levu from July 29th to August 12th. The exercise demonstrates the U.S. Army’s enduring commitments to Fiji, and promotes cooperation and interoperability with our partners in a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Army video by Sgt. 1st Class John Etheridge. Drone video footage by Sgt. Scott Vargas)