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. Sarah Taggett

Exercise Southern Jackaroo: trilateral support to ground maneuvers *B-Roll*

Marine Rotational Force - Darwin

June 23, 2021 | 4:38

U.S. Marines with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, Australian Army soldiers and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers participate in support to ground maneuvers training during exercise Southern Jackaroo at Mount Bundey Training Area, NT, Australia, June 23, 2021. The training exercised their combined capabilities to give mounted and dismounted support to small unit ground maneuvers while utilizing multiple weapons systems. Defense ties between the United States, allies, and partner nations are critical to regional security, cooperation, and integration of our combined capabilities (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Sarah E. Taggett)