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 Cpl. Earik Barton

B-Roll: 1st LAR Bn. participates in Exercise Predator’s Run 24

Marine Rotational Force - Darwin

July 30, 2024 | 2:59

U.S. Marines with Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, participate in Exercise Predator’s Run 24 at Mount Bundey Training Area, NT, Australia, July 29-30, 2024. During Rapid Deployment Exercise, 1st LAR rapidly deployed from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, U.S., to Australia by strategic lift and rail to participate in the 1st Brigade, Australian Army led, Exercise Predator’s Run 24. Exercise Predator’s run 24 provides Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3 reinforced by 1st LAR, the opportunity to conduct training missions as a Marine Air Ground Task Force, while integrating command and control, aviation, logistics, off-continent and Allied capabilities to increase security and stability in the Indo-Pacific Region. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Earik Barton)