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 Spc. Mason Runyon

9th Mission Support Command units participate in the French-led Croix du Sud Exercise in New Caledonia

9th Mission Support Command

May 6, 2023 | 5:36

U.S. Army Soldiers of the 9th Mission Support Command provide support in mission Croix Du Sud (Southern Cross) in Noumea, New Caledonia, May 6, 2023. Croix du Sud is a biannually French-led joint/multinational exercise that involves 19 nations coordinating naval, air, and ground assets to strengthen capabilities in human assistance, disaster, and crisis response efforts to mitigate human suffering while strengthening Alliances and partnerships. This year’s exercise took place from 24 April to 6 May with the United States Army Pacific’s role in Croix du Sud 23 was to provide ground force support to FANC’s primary training audience.