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. Caila Arahood

116th and 452nd CES Airmen participate in Hawaii IRT

116th Air Control Wing

July 24, 2019 | 7:00

U.S. Airmen from the 116th Civil Engineer Squadron, Georgia Air National Guard, and 452nd CES. March Air Reserve Base, work together to build a STEM Learning Center during Innovative Readiness Training at Camp Paumalu Girl Scout Camp, Haleiwa, Hawaii, July 15-24, 2019. Airmen from the 116th Civil Engineer Squadron, along with supporting members from the 116th Services Flight, 116th Medical Group, 116th Public Affairs and 116th Logistics Readiness Squadron, deployed for a real-world construction mission to support the Girl Scouts of Hawaii in building a science, technology, engineering, and math-based Girl Scout camp while gaining crucial experience for wartime missions. (U.S. Air National Guard video by Staff Sgt. Caila Arahood)