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 Master Sgt. Nicholas Carzis

Inside the Cockpit of a California National Guard C-130 Suppressing Hughes Fire

146 Airlift Wing, California Air National Guard

Jan. 24, 2025 | 1:12

U.S. Air National Guard Maj. Cameron Shepard and Capt. Carlos Puga, assigned to the 146th Airlift Wing, perform wildland fire fighting operations inside a C-130J Super Hercules equipped with the MAFFS (Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System) over the Hughes Fire near Castaic, California, Jan. 24, 2025. The MAFFS program is a joint effort between the U.S. Forest Service and Department of Defense (DoD). The U.S. Forest Service owns the MAFFS equipment and supplies the fire retardant, while the DoD provides the C-130 H and J model aircraft, flight crews, and maintenance and support personnel to fly the missions. Wildland Firefighting is part of U.S. Northern Command’s Defense Support of Civil Authorities mission. (U.S. Air National Guard video by Master Sgt. Nieko Carzis)