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 Daisuke Sato

MEDDAC Japan mass-casualty exercise 2023

U.S. Army Garrison - Japan

Oct. 10, 2023 | 3:12

Narration:
An 8.2-magnitude earthquake striking the Kanto Plain and causing numerous
injuries and widespread property damage served as the scenario for a recent
mass-casualty exercise held on Camp Zama.
U.S. Army Medical Department Activity - Japan organized the exercise, which
was a joint effort that involved real and simulated participation from more
than a dozen agencies, including U.S. Army Japan, U.S. Army Garrison Japan,
the hospitals at Fleet Activities Yokosuka and Yokota Air Base, two Japan
Ground Self-Defense Force units, and two local Japanese hospitals.

Interview: COL Jeremy D. Johnson, Commander, MEDDAC Japan

Narration:
The drill gave both the U.S. and Japanese participants the chance to
practice their roles in the event of an emergency and to train on response
procedures such as establishing a triage area, treating casualties, and
transporting injured evacuees via ambulance and helicopter.

Interview: Stephen Matthews, Medical Emergency Manager, MEDDAC-Japan

Narration:
This was the second mass-casualty exercise MEDDAC-Japan has hosted, and was the largest in scale for the unit so far.

Interview: SGT Arhye Olavarria, Health Care Sergeant, Family Medicine,
MEDDAC-Japan

Interview: SPC Duy Nguyen, Combat Medic Specialist, MEDDAC Japan

Narration:
Col. Jeremy Johnson, commander of MEDDAC-Japan, spoke about what he hopes
those in his unit gain from participating in the exercise.

Interview: COL Jeremy D. Johnson, Commander, MEDDAC Japan

For U.S. Army Garrison Japan Public Affairs, this is XXXX XXXXX.