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 Staff Sgt. Sean Brady, Sgt. 1st Class Joel Gibson

Stryker and SUSV Transported for Arctic Thrust 2018

United States Army Alaska

Jan. 24, 2018 | 0:31

Soldiers load a Stryker, a small unit support vehicle and other supplies onto a C-17 Globemaster from Joint Base Lewis McChord, Wash., for transport from Eielsen Air Force Base to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in support of Arctic Thrust, a U.S. Army Alaska deployment readiness exercise. Arctic Thrust includes the movement of two battalion-sized task forces from Fort Wainwright to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson to test the strategic infrastructure and military and civilian systems and procedures required to rapidly deploy from Alaska. Dozens of Soldiers, Airmen, and civilians from both inside and outside the state are providing support to facilitate the exercise.