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.

1st Battalion 297 Infantry Regiment conduct arctic survival training during Arctic Eagle 20

139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Video by Sgt. Christopher Garibay

March 3, 2020 | 7:20

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE – Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, based in Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson took part in arctic survival, helicopter-hoisting exercises, movement-to-contact and weapon familiarization training in support of Arctic Eagle 2020 at Eielson Air Force Base, Feb. 20 through March 2.
The unit used UH-60 Black Hawks to hoist gear and move Soldiers from forward operating bases to more remote arctic locations to engage in small unit infantry tactics. The exercise is meant to test and validate field skills, gear capabilities, remote communications, transportation capabilities and best practices for survival in an arctic environment.
The 1-297th INF BN began the field portion of the exercise Feb. 25 by establishing a tactical operations center at Winter Camp Forward Operating Base in the Yukon Training Area, which involved setting up a 10-person tent equipped with a heater and generator. Over the next two days, the unit set up their sleeping quarters at Winter Camp, practiced movement to contact and conducted various cold weather training.
“Out here in the Arctic, the greatest enemy is the weather,” said Army 1st Lt. Eric Gorman, company commander of Delta Company, 1-297 INF BN based in Fairbanks, Alaska. “The most important part of the Alaska National Guard is to be able to operate in an arctic environment in order to defend the homeland.” More