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 Courtesy

Mission Command (JTF-CS/DCRF)

Joint Task Force Civil Support

May 5, 2019 | 5:00

Joint Task Force Civil Support (JTF-CS) provides mission command of the Defense CBRN Response Force (DCRF) during exercise Vibrant Response 2019 (VR - 19). The Vibrant Response command post (CPX) exercise took place at Fort Custer, Mich., and the Michigan State Emergency Operations Center in Lansing. Phase 1 of Guardian Response 19 (GR19) is a field-training exercise linked to VR19 where about 3,500 federal personnel trained in aviation, medical, engineering, logistics, and other life-saving tasks at Muscatatuk Urban Training Center and Camp Atterbury in Indiana. This exercise featured realistic venues and civilian role-players to simulate a demanding disaster environment under the guidance and direction of the task force commander. The annual GR19 helps participants of the VR19 exercise command and control in a realistic, challenging environment.