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 Master Sgt. Eric Johnson

NDNG Return from Kosovo

119th Wing, North Dakota Air National Guard

Sept. 13, 2012 | 3:59

55 members of the North Dakota Army National Guard’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment (Security and Support)return from a year long deployment in Kosovo 13 September 2012. The unit, which is based in Bismarck, N.D., deployed to Kosovo last September in support of Kosovo Force (KFOR) 15, a NATO peacekeeping operation. The Soldiers will travel via bus, stopping at four different locations, where Soldiers met up with their families. At 9:30 a.m. in Fargo, N.D., at the Petro Gas Station was their second stop enroute to Bismarck, ND. While deployed, the aviation Task Force, comprised of units from North Dakota, Wyoming, Wisconsin and New Jersey, was charged to form a cohesive team to provide aviation support to the mission of preserving a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all throughout Kosovo. Since taking over the mission, Aviation Task Force flew more than 2,800 accident-free hours, transported more than 2,600 passengers and 238 tons of supplies and equipment, completed 30 MEDEVAC missions to trans-port 37 Soldiers or contractors to a higher level of care, and trained nearly 5,000 US and Multi-national Soldiers on how to safely load and unload a Lift and MEDEVAC aircraft. Lt. Col. William Watson, of Bismarck, commands the unit, and Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Schuchard, of Jamestown, N.D., serves as the senior enlisted leader. Many of the Soldiers hail from the Bismarck-Mandan area, but the unit is comprised of Guardsmen from 15 North Dakota communities. Available in High Definition.