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

Furoshiki Workshop

U.S. Army Garrison - Japan

Dec. 12, 2023 | 2:15

Furoshiki Workshop

Narration:
Laughter echoed through the Camp Zama Library at the first-ever workshop held there for furoshiki, traditional Japanese cloths that are used to wrap and transport goods.

Maribel Sikes, a youth volunteer at the library, and Mikako Yano, a librarian there, led the program by teaching the class the basics on how to use furoshiki.

Interview: Maribel Sikes, Volunteer

Narration:
The participants first learned how to tie two different knots, known in Japanese as mamusubi and hitotsumusubi, which are the two knots primarily used to secure the cloth when wrapping an item.

Next, Ms. Sikes and Ms. Yano demonstrated a variety of wrapping methods while the class members followed along and tried their hand at wrapping items such as books, bottles, candies, a ball, and more.

Interview: Angela Heck, Participant

Interview: Vacari Dickerson, Participant

Narration:
The workshop was devised as a one-time event, but the instructors said they are hoping to offer it again in the future if the demand is there.

Interview: Maribel Sikes, Volunteer

Narration: For U.S. Army Garrison Japan Public Affairs, this is XXXXXX.