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. Adam Meyer

US Army Staff Sgt discusses NCO development during African Lion 2025

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

May 12, 2025 | 1:57

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Gil Malave, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), discusses the importance of non-commissioned officer (NCO) development during African Lion 2025 (AL25) in Agadir, Morocco, May 12, 2025. “NCO development is the most important training that an NCO could have in the Army," said Malave. "Since the NCO corps is the backbone of the Army, we need to be able to understand NCO roles and responsibilities as well as how to train your team on how to be ready to fight at any moment." AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army video by Staff Sgt. Adam Meyer)

(00:00:00) MEDIUM SHOT: Members of Moroccan military sit attentively at desk
(00:00:08) LONG SHOT: Members of Moroccan military move to front of room to teach
(00:00:16) MEDIUM SHOT: Member of Moroccan military teaches class
(00:00:24) MEDIUM SHOT: Students file to front of room to teach
(00:00:33) MEDIUM SHOT: Students paying attention
(00:00:41) LONG SHOT: Students paying attention
(00:00:47) LONG SHOT: Member of Moroccan military receives diploma from U.S. General
(00:00:59) Interview with SSG Gil Malave