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 Cpl. Migel Reynosa

B-Roll: MRF-D 24.3: U.S. Navy entomologist collects bacteria samples in PNG

Marine Rotational Force - Darwin

May 6, 2024 | 1:03

U.S. Navy Lt. Jacob Underwood, a medical entomologist with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, operates a Coriolis Micro-Microbial Air Sampler during a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise at Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, May 6, 2024. The Coriolis Micro-Microbial Air Sampler was used to test for the air born bacteria Burkholderia pseudomallei, which can cause Melioidosis, for a study done in partnership with the Menzies School of Public Health. The HADR exercise is conducted in coordination with the Papua New Guinea Defense force and U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby, with a focus on projecting select role II medical, logistics, and Marine Air-Ground Task Force command and control capabilities off-continent, to validate HADR training and readiness. Underwood is a native of California. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Migel A. Reynosa)