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. Andrew Wash

Members of Jackson Family meet with U.S. Air Force Airmen in Gary, Indiana

Federal Vaccine Response

May 13, 2021 | 2:06

Two members of the Jackson family, Marlon and Tito, met at their family home near the state-led, federally-supported Community Vaccination Center (CVC) at the former Roosevelt High School in Gary, Indiana to unveil a historical landmark sign of their home and meet with Department of Defense representatives, May 13, 2021. The two Jackson brothers met with State representatives, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) representatives, U.S. Air Force Airmen and gave a public service announcement with Kevin M. Sligh Sr., acting regional administrator, FEMA Region V, to encourage local community members to come out to the Gary CVC and receive their COVID-19 vaccinations. U.S. Northern Command, through U.S. Army North, remains committed to providing continued, flexible Department of Defense support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency as part of the whole-of-government response to COVID-19. (U.S. Army video by Spc. Andrew Wash, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)