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.

B-Roll: Kenya Defense Forces conduct Canine Tactical Combat Casualty Care evaluation drill at JA25

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

Video by Sgt. 1st Class Solomon Navarro

Feb. 14, 2025 | 1:30

Two Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Soldiers conduct a simulated Canine Tactical Combat Casualty Care evaluation drill as part of exercise Justified Accord 2025 (JA25) at the Humanitarian Peace Support School (HPSS) in Nairobi, Kenya, Feb. 14, 2025. During the scenario-based assessment, the soldiers respond under notional enemy fire to provide life-saving care to a downed military working dog training dummy. They assess the K9’s condition, control bleeding, and move to safety while applying further stabilizing measures. The exercise reinforces KDF handlers’ ability to provide emergency medical care in combat environments while under stress.

JA25 is the premier U.S. Africa Command exercise in East Africa, designed to enhance multinational combat readiness, strengthen crisis response capabilities and empower allies and partners in the region. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and hosted by Kenya, Djibouti and Tanzania, JA25 integrates high-intensity training scenarios that sharpen warfighting skills, increase operational reach and enhance the ability to execute complex joint and multinational operations. (U.S. Army video by Sgt. 1st Class Solomon Navarro)

Shot List:
(00:00) LONG SHOT: Two KDF soldiers run to K9 dummy
(05:21) MEDIUM SHOT: Two KDF soldiers bandage K9 dummy
(12:21) MEDIUM SHOT: KDF soldier moves K9 dummy
(17:14) LONG SHOT: KDF soldier runs with K9 dummy
(22:27) LONG TO MEDIUM SHOT: KDF soldiers sets K9 dummy down
(30:19) MEDIUM SHOT: Two KDF soldiers position K9 dummy
(37:23) MEDIUM SHOT: Two KDFsoldiers check K9 dummy airway
(41:06) MEDIUM SHOT: Two KDFsoldiers check K9 dummy airway
(46:17) MEDIUM SHOT: Two KDF soldiers apply muzzle to K9 dummy
(52:24) MEDIUM SHOT: Two KDF soldiers prepare to apply IV
(57:28) MEDIUM SHOT: Two KDF soldiers apply IV
(01:10:24) MEDIUM TO CLOSE SHOT: Two KDF soldiers apply IV More