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 Maj. Wayne Clyne

1-200 Infantry Battalion: New Mexico's Finest at JRTC

Oregon National Guard Public Affairs Office

July 26, 2024 | 2:24

Recorded on July 26, 2024, at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC), Fort Johnson, Louisiana, this video features Lt. Col. Sergio Hands, commander of the 1st Battalion, 200th Infantry Regiment, New Mexico Army National Guard. As a key component of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) "Jungleers" from Oregon, Lt. Col. Hands provides insights into his unit's composition and its crucial role in the ongoing JRTC rotation.

Lt. Col. Hands details the battalion's structure, including three light rifle companies, a heavy weapons company, a forward support company, and specialized platoons, highlighting their integration with the 41st IBCT and the 40th Infantry Division. He emphasizes how JRTC's challenging environment tests soldiers at every level, from individual operators to battalion leadership.

The commander also discusses how this training directly prepares the 1-200 IN BN for their upcoming 2025 deployment to the Horn of Africa. Lt. Col. Hands underscores the importance of honing leadership skills and tactical proficiency to operate effectively in challenging environments against near-peer competitors.

With heartfelt thanks to families and employers back home, Lt. Col. Hands proudly acknowledges his soldiers' dedication and their embodiment of the battalion's "All In!" spirit.

This video offers a unique glimpse into the National Guard's rigorous training and preparation for real-world missions. It showcases the seamless integration of units from different states in support of national defense objectives, using footage from the 1-200 IN BN 2023 XCTC and 2024 JRTC training.

(US Army National Guard video by Maj. W. Chris Clyne Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)