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 Tech. Sgt. Andrew Jackson

National Guard Soldiers and Airmen Secure International Conference in Hawaii

State of Hawaii, Department of Defense, Public Affairs Office

Sept. 7, 2016 | 1:44

While the state of Hawaii recently hosted thousands of international delegates for the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s world congress, members of the Hawaii National Guard Civil Support Team helped insure that the ten-day event was safe. the 93rd CST was augmented with guardsmen from Guam, and new Mexico.

SOT: 00:00:24:02 - 1 Sgt Norman Peleholani, 93rd CST

The guardsmen worked with teams of local law enforcement, and emergency medical services providing communication services and a mobile lab that was at the ready to test any samples that could have been detected.

SOT: 00:00:54:23 - 1st Lt Adam Herrmann, 93rd CST

Sweep teams also combed the venues to detect any chemical, biological, or nuclear contamination. All of these activities were monitored in real time enabling first responders to have the ability to know how to react to an unfolding situation.

By the end of the event the forty plus guardsmen from three states provided 10 days of around the clock support safeguarding all attendees from world leaders to member of the public.

(U.S. Air National Guard Video by Tech. Sgt. Andrew L. Jackson)