Reoptimization for Great Power Competition

GPC Key Decisions

USAF Case for Change

SecAF Memo

Air Force FAQ for Reoptimizing Great Power Competition

“We need these changes now; we are out of time to reoptimize our forces to meet the strategic challenges in a time of great power competition.”

~ Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall

The United States faces a time of consequence marked by significant shifts in the strategic environment. To remain ready, the U.S. Air Force must change.

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.

Today, the Air Force once again finds itself at a critical juncture—an era of Great Power Competition marked by a new security environment, a rapidly evolving character of war, and a formidable competitor. This new era requires understanding its challenges and the attributes needed to succeed.

Embracing change is not a choice; it is a necessity. The Air Force must “reoptimize” into an enterprise prepared for high-end conflicts and long-term strategic competition.

7th Engineer Brigade load up for Saber Guardian 25

5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Video by 1st Sgt. Jacob Connor

May 21, 2025 | 17:00

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 260th Movement Control Team and 7th Engineer
Brigade complete a barge transportation operation supporting Saber Guardian
25 in Passau, Bayern, Germany, May 21, 2025. River vessels provide the
U.S. Army a tactical advantage by using waterways instead of standard air,
rail or linehaul methods. Demonstrating global deterrence and the U.S. Army’s
ability to rapidly deploy U.S.-based combat power in Europe and the Arctic
region alongside Allies and partners, DEFENDER 25 brings U.S. troops together
with forces from 29 Allied and partner nations to build readiness through
large-scale combat training from May 11-June 24, 2025.

Video By: U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Jacob Connor

Duration: 00:16:59:11

00:00:08:00 - 00:04:36:18 - Roll on barge operations
00:04:36:19 - 00:12:58:03 - Crane lifted barge operations
00:12:58:04 - 00:14:58:21 - 2nd Lt. Zachery Bush, Movement Control Officer, 260th Movement Control Team (Talks about the barge operations and the value it has when transporting equipment)
00:14:58:22 - 00:16:49:13 - Sgt. Mike Cedeno Movement Control Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO), 260th Movement Control Team (Talks about the barge operations and the value it has when transporting equipment) More