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 Courtesy

Silver Flag Mission Qualification Course

Headquarters Air Force, Office of the Director of Civil Engineers

Dec. 14, 2023 | 1:26

The Silver Flag Mission Qualification Course is a five-day certification event that exists to test Airmen's overall functional proficiency and mission effectiveness. This course is a new approach to the previously known Silver Flag Training, as it more closely aligns with the present AFFORGEN deployment model. It is required of Airmen before deployment to ensure they possess the foundational skills and multi-capable abilities required in real world wartime scenarios.

Over the course of five days, Airmen work together with different career fields to perform tasks such as building a bare base and rapidly recovering airfields, while being observed and graded to ensure mission readiness. Watch this video to hear more about how Airmen prepare for this Silver Flag Course to guarantee preparedness any time, in any location, in contested environments!