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. Matthew Mackintosh

Rappel Master Course Instructional Videos: End of Line Bowline

28th Public Affairs Detachment

Feb. 14, 2022 | 3:24

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Cristobal Martinez, an air assault instructor with the 25th Infantry Division Lightning Academy, intructs viewers on how to construct an end of line bowline knot and provides a live demonstration of that process on Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Nov. 8, 2021. The end of line bowline knot will be utilized in the Rappel Master Course and the Fast Rope Insertion/Extraction System and Special Patrol Insertion/Extraction System Course. The Rappel Master Course is a week-long course designed to ensure that students will be proficient in Rappel Master duties to include Rappel Master Personnel Inspections, tower training, rappeler sustainment training and rotary wing operations. The FRIES and SPIES Course is a four day course that teaches the students skills needed for safe and efficient Soldier insertion and extraction. (U.S. Army Video by Spc. Matthew Mackintosh, 28th Public Affairs Detachment)