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 Ismael Ortega

U.S. Air Force - Pacer Forge, INFIL B-Roll

502nd Air Base Wing

April 16, 2025 | 3:29

U.S. Air Force Basic Military Training trainees participate in a 57-hour simulated deployment field training exercise as part of U.S. Air Force BMT on April 16, 2025, at Joint Base San Antonio-Chapman Annex, San Antonio, Texas. The Primary Agile Combat Employment Range Forward Operations Readiness Generation Exercise (PACER FORGE) aims to provide trainees with skills that will familiarize them with possible future deployments and combat scenarios. PACER FORGE occurs twice weekly with an average of 900 trainees participating, and serves as the standard field training capstone experience for every U.S. Air Force and Space Force trainee during their sixth week of training prior to graduation. (U.S. Air Force video by Ismael Ortega)