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.

B-Roll: US, Morocco conduct air naval gunfire and HIMARS training at African Lion 2025

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

Video by Staff Sgt. Tamie Norris

May 21, 2025 | 1:33

U.S. Marines assigned to 4th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO), Force Headquarters Group, Marine Forces Reserve, conduct air naval gunfire operations together with U.S. Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, New Hampshire National Guard, supporting with the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), as well as counterparts with the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces at African Lion 2025 (AL25), Cap Draa, Tan Tan, Morocco, May 21, 2025. Multinational exercises allow U.S., ally and partner nations to strengthen relationships and build lethality for future operations. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army video by Staff Sgt. Tamie Norris)

Shot List:
(00:00:00) LONG SHOT: MOROCCAN PUMA HELICOPTER TAKING OFF
(00:00:26) LONG SHOT: MOROCCAN PUMA HELICOPTER OVER GROUND VEHICLES
(00:00:36) MEDIUM SHOT: MARINE ANGLICO GIVING AIR SAFETY GUIDANCE
(00:00:41) LONG SHOT: PUMA TAKING OFF
(00:00:53) LONG SHOT: HIMARS DOUBLE SHOT
(00:00:57) LONG SHOT: HIMARS FOLLOWING THE ROCKET
(00:01:02) LONG SHOT: TRUCKS LEAVING LAUNCH SITE
(00:01:10) MEDIUM SHOT: ANGLICOS MOVING OUT IN SAND DUNE BUGGIES
(00:01:15) LONG SHOT: ANGLICOS MOVING OUT IN SAND DUNE BUGGIES
(00:01:20) LONG SHOT: ANGLICOS MOVING OUT IN SAND DUNE BUGGIES More