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 Airman Sieana Mackiewicz

ATSEV Artist

AFN Superstation Sembach

March 12, 2014 | 1:29

Many people have hobbies like collecting coins or painting model cars. Airman Sieana Mackiewicz sat down with a staff sergeant who has a hobby that's made a big impact on his life and career. Staff Sergeant William Mangin spent the last year at Incirlik hustling cargo back and forth as an aerial porter, but he recently moved to a position as an air transportation evaluator.
I'm looking at everything from a completely new perspective. Where as I was an aircraft supervisor before, now I’m outside the job looking in and actually evaluating the process. It’s strange to see it from a different perspective. The transition wasn’t seamless and his perspective, as he puts it, may have changed some, but then again Sergeant Mangin is used to seeing things differently.
My drawings are, for me, it’s an escape. I’ve been doing it my entire life.”
As a top notch artist his work has been published in transformers comics, and featured in the video game blood rain two, but most important the art provides an outlet.
Hobbies are very important for stress relief. its that, at the end of the day, getting your mind off the things you’ve been stressed about. “
“Finding something that you really enjoy and honing your skill. Really kind of bring that stability back to your life through whatever means that you have, whatever hobby that you have.”
Mangin uses pen and pencils to help ease his transition…ultimately finding his balance within the sketches.
“It’s very important for your mental fitness i think.”
reporting from Incirlik Air Base, I’m Airman Sieana Mackiewicz.