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 Sgt. Jorden Newbanks

Minnesota Best Warrior Competition 2024

Camp Ripley Training Center

April 27, 2024 | 3:00

Twenty-three service members from the Minnesota National Guard, along with NATO partners from Canada, Norway, and Croatia, are competing in Minnesota’s Best Warrior Competition April 25-27, 2024, at Camp Ripley, near Little Falls. The annual competition tests the military skills, physical strength, and endurance of the top enlisted and noncommissioned officers nominated by units across the state. This year, three of Minnesota’s longstanding partner nations, Canada, Croatia, and Norway have sent a total of eight competitors to participate. Minnesota’s winners will move on to compete against the best Soldiers and noncommissioned officers from multiple states at the Region IV Best Warrior Competition, hosted by the Iowa National Guard at Camp Dodge in May (Minnesota National Guard Video by Army Staff Sgt. Jorden Newbanks).