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 Capt. Kayla Christopher, Sgt. Anthony Jones

Rapid Trident 2017: Tactical Airdrop Operations

45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

Sept. 20, 2017 | 0:38

Ukrainian soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 95th Separate Airmobile Brigade secure a drop zone in preparation for a U.S. Air Force C-130 to drop supplies for Ukrainian army units taking part in Exercise Rapid Trident 2017 at the Yavoriv Combat Training Center on the International Peacekeeping and Security Center in Western Ukraine. After the supplies land, the 1st of the 95th soldiers retrieve the supplies.

Rapid Trident is an annual, multinational exercise involving approximately two thousand personnel from 14 nations. The exercise is composed of a multinational, brigade-level, computer-assisted command post exercise integrated with a battalion-level field training exercise and platoon-level situational training exercises. The exercise will also include integrated, aeromedical evacuation and tactical airlift and airdrop training. Rapid Trident 2017 supports joint combined interoperability among Ukraine, the U.S., and allied and partner nations. (Video by Sgt. Anthony Jones and Capt. Kayla Christopher, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team)