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 Maj. Wayne Clyne

Task Force Guardian Takes on Geronimo: JRTC Deliberate Attack

Oregon National Guard Public Affairs Office

July 23, 2024 | 2:12

This video shows the intensity of a Joint Readiness Training Center rotation as Task Force Guardian conducts a Battalion Deliberate Attack on Objective Hyundai on July 23, 2024. This video captures the action as Oregon Army National Guard units face off against the formidable Able Company "Geronimo" 1-509th, augmented by soldiers from the 438th Military Police Company, Kentucky National Guard, in a simulated large-scale combat operation.

Lt. Col. Joshua Rapp, commander of Task Force Guardian, provides insights into the unique composition of his force, which combines elements from the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment; 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment; 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment; 741st Brigade Engineer Battalion; and 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Regiment, attached to the 82nd Troop Command Brigade. Watch as this diverse task force brings significant firepower to bear in an aggressive combined arms attack.

Witness the challenges and success as Task Force Guardian soldiers demonstrate their professionalism, resilience, and teamwork in one of the Army's most demanding training environments. Lt. Col. Rapp discusses how this high-intensity training prepares his soldiers for their upcoming overseas deployment to Egypt for a Multinational Force and Observers rotation.

This video shows the realism and rigor of JRTC, where units face the "most hated unit in the United States Army" - the premiere opposing force that has been testing and improving Brigade Combat Teams for over 35 years. See firsthand how the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team is rising to meet the challenge of this Large Scale Combat Operation scenario.

(Video by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs, with contributing footage by 1st Sgt. Zach Holden and Sgt. Emily Simonson, 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Oregon Army National Guard)