Reoptimization for Great Power Competition

GPC Key Decisions

USAF Case for Change

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.

Know Your Defender - Spc. Emilio Sanchez, 510th RSG

7th Mission Support Command

Video by Staff Sgt. Jessica Forester

May 11, 2023 | 1:30

Meet Spc. Emilio Sanchez, a Spanish native who naturalized into the United States.

Sanchez serves as a 42 A, human resource specialist with the 510th Regional Support Group, 7th Mission Support Command - America's Army Reserve in Europe. In addition to his role in the S-1 shop, Sanchez assisted his unit by translating between U.S. Soldiers and their Spanish Allies, at San Gregorio Training Area, Zaragoza, Spain, in support of exercise Swift Response and DEFENDER-23.   

The 510th Regional Support Group's mission is to provide base support operations for up to 6000 supported Soldiers and their equipment, across the European Theater. Currently, the 510th manages day-to-day instillation operations for roughly 1,000 U.S., Ally and partner forces, participating in exercise Swift Response 23. Exercises like this solidify relationships and build on time-tested alliances by improving interoperability and strengthening already established relationships with Allied and partnered nations.    

DEFENDER 23 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa led exercise focused on the strategic deployment of continental United States-based forces, employment of Army Prepositioned Stocks, and interoperability with Allies and partners. Taking place from 22 April to 23 June, DEFENDER 23 demonstrates USAREUR-AF’s ability to aggregate U.S.-based combat power quickly in Eastern Europe, increase lethality of the NATO Alliance through long-distance fires, build unit readiness in a complex joint, multi-national environment, and leverage host nation capabilities to increase USAREUR-AF’s operational reach. DEFENDER 23 includes more than 7,000 U.S. and 17,000 multi-national service members from more than 20 nations who will participate including, but not limited to: Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States. (U.S. Army Reserve video by Staff Sgt. Jessica Forester)  More