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 Eric Franklin

Alpha Battery Soldiers Conduct Live-Fire Exercise with M109A7 Paladins at Fort Cavazos

Fort Hood Public Affairs Office

Nov. 20, 2024 | 0:47

Soldiers with Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, conducted a live-fire exercise with multiple M109A7 Paladin artillery systems at Fort Cavazos, Texas, Nov. 20, 2024. The video shows Paladins firing powerful artillery rounds downrange and Soldiers working as a team to load rounds into the systems. These live-fire exercises are critical to ensuring the combat readiness and effectiveness of the Army’s armored units. (U.S. Army video by Eric Franklin)