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.

Red Flag 14-1

Nellis Air Force Base

Video by Airman 1st Class Rebecca Long

Jan. 31, 2014 | 1:17

Airmen prepare an F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 391st Fighter Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, for takeoff during Red Flag 14-1 Jan. 31, 2014, at Nellis AFB, Nev. The F-15E Strike Eagle is a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. An array of avionics and electronics systems gives the F-15E the capability to fight at all altitudes, day or night, and in all weather. (U.S. Air Force video by Airman First Class Rebecca Long)
A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., taxis towards the runway during Red Flag 14-1 Jan. 31, 2014, at Nellis AFB, Nev. More than 440,000 service members participated in RED FLAG since 1975, including more than 145,000 aircrew members flying more than 385,000 sorties and logging more than 660,000 flight hours. (U.S. Air Force video by SrA Rachel Maxwell)
U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 55th Fighter Squadron, Shaw AFB, S.C., taxi to the runway after being “armed” for takeoff, during Red Flag 14-1 Jan. 31, 2014, at Nellis AFB, Nev. RED FLAG provides realistic combat training in a contested, degraded and operationally limited environment. This provides pilots with real-time war scenarios and also allows ground crews to test their readiness capabilities. (U.S. Air Force video by Senior Airman Rachel Maxwell)
A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot assigned to the 55th Fighter Squadron, Shaw AFB taxis to the runway during Red Flag 14-1 Jan. 31, 2014, at Nellis AFB, Nev. RED FLAG gives Airmen an opportunity to experience realistic combat scenarios to prepare and train Airmen in the event of future conflicts or war. Gen. Robert Dixon, then commander of Tactical Air Command, established RED FLAG in 1975 to better prepare Airmen for combat missions. The concept of RED FLAG was developed by Maj. Moody Suter to simulate the first 10 combat missions pilots would face. (U.S. Air Force video by Airman First Class Taylor West)
A member of the Royal Australian Air Force prepares an F/A-18 Hornet assigned to the 77th Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown, for takeoff during Red Flag 14-1 Jan. 31, 2014, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. More than 30 countries have participated directly in a RED FLAG exercise with other nations as observers. (U.S. Air Force video by Airman First Class Rebecca Long)
An F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 391st Fighter Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, taxis to the runway during Red Flag 14-1 Jan. 31, 2014, at Nellis AFB, Nev. Red Flag provides Airmen from U.S. and allied countries an opportunity to experience realistic combat scenarios. RED FLAG has expanded to incorporate all spectrums of warfare to include command and control, real-time intelligence, analysis and exploitation, and electronic warfare. Night missions have also been added to each exercise. (U.S. Air Force video by Airman First Class Taylor West)
U.S. Air Force Airmen perform final checks on F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 55th Fighter Squadron, Shaw AFB prior to takeoff during Red Flag 14-1 Jan. 31, 2014, at Nellis AFB, Nev. Red Flag a realistic combat training exercise involving the air forces of the United States and its allies, and is conducted on the vast bombing and gunnery ranges of the 2.9M acre Nevada Test and Training Range. (U.S. Air Force video by Airman First Class Taylor West). More