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 Sgt. Luther Washington

Sling Load Training

4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

Sept. 13, 2013 | 1:28

Several Soldiers assigned to Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, conducted an air assault sling load training exercise to enhance unit readiness by moving assets and equipment across a designated area located on Marshall Air Field to training area 16, Fort Riley, Kansa on Sept. 13.

Three high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles were staged on a tall grassy field, along with three M119 lightweight howitzers, and three teams who were more than ready to train. These vital pieces of equipment were then attached to a CH-47 Chinook and flown to an alternate training area without loss of equipment or destruction to government property. Available in high definition.