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 Staff Sgt. Bryanne Vega

Combined Resolve 25-1 Transforming in Contact - Broll

363rd Public Affairs Detachment

Feb. 7, 2025 | 6:18

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division push forward as squad elements during the final battle of Exercise Combined Resolve 25-1 at Hohenfels Training Area on Feb. 7, 2025. Reacting to enemy contact, Soldiers execute tactical movements, clear obstacles, and conduct medical operations while under fire from rifles, grenades, and .50-caliber machine guns. Using smoke for concealment and suppressive fire for cover, the unit maneuvers through barbed wire and fortified positions to maintain offensive momentum. Combined Resolve is a U.S.-led, NATO and partner-integrated exercise focused on combined arms interoperability in the European Theater.

Timeline:

00:00:00 – Soldiers pushing forward and reacting to contact
00:01:03 – Reacting to contact
00:01:56 – Reacting to contact
00:03:36 – Reacting to contact using machine gun
00:03:58 – Soldiers pushing forward with smoke concealment
00:04:16 – White smoke screen
00:04:31 – Soldiers reacting to contact inside a room
00:04:50 – OPFOR utilizing a drone for reconnaissance
00:05:02 – Soldier using a wall for cover and reacting to contact
00:05:23 – OPFOR using a white smoke screen to push forward
00:05:30 – White smoke screen close-up
00:05:49 – Soldiers in a prone unsupported position taking cover from contact
00:06:12 – Soldiers moving in a single-stack column against a wall (close-up)