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. Skyler Harris

B-Roll: VMM-363 reacts to simulated ground threats

Marine Rotational Force - Darwin

June 27, 2023 | 4:17

U.S. Marines Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force - Darwin 23, and Australian Army Soldiers with 5th Aviation Regiment operate a portable range threat simulator targeted at U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft to simulate enemy surface-to-air threats during Exercise Southern Jackaroo at Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland, Australia, June 27, 2023. Southern Jackaroo 23 is a field training exercise between the Australian Defence Force, MRF-D, and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, focused on fire and maneuver tactics. Watson is a native of Woodbridge, Virginia. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Skyler M. Harris) 