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 Capt. Frank Spatt

Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment returns from Middle East deployment B-Roll

38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade

Jan. 22, 2025 | 6:29

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- After five long months, Bravo Battery 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment returned from their deployment to U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) and reunited with their friends and families on Jan. 22, 2025.

“We’re immensely proud of our Soldiers. They’re deployment to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility came at an especially fraught period of the region’s history,” said Col. Joseph Scott, commander of the 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade. “Their outstanding performance and daily operations defended the lives of their fellow service members, demonstrated our Nation’s commitment to its partners in the region and contributed immeasurably to the efforts the U.S. has had to the past year plus of keeping the dangers of deadly conflict between Israel, Iran and Iran’s proxy forces from spreading further across the region. Amazing accomplishments on such short notice over the last five months.”

Bravo Battery was deployed to the USCENTCOM area of responsibility from August 2024 to January 2025 in support of 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade’s regional air defense mission.

Their ability to successfully deploy from the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) area of responsibility to the USCENTCOM area of responsibility on a short notice and effectively provide integrated air and missile defense in an unfamiliar region displays the true readiness of the organization. This is the first time that Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment have deployed to USCENTCOM since 2003 and marks the first time ever that a patriot battery has deployed from USINDOPACOM to USCENTCOM.