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.

NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force deploys for Exercise Brilliant Jump 20

Natochannel

Video by Courtesy

Nov. 1, 2020 | 3:19

SYNOPSIS

NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) proved its ability to deploy rapidly during Exercise Brilliant Jump 20, whose land deployment phase ran from 28 October to 6 November 2020.

Serving as the tip of the spear for the NATO Response Force, the VJTF is a multinational brigade kept in constant readiness to mobilise. The VJTF includes forces from 13 NATO Allies, including four Allies participating in Brilliant Jump 20: the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Poland – which has led the VJTF since early 2020 – and Spain.

During the exercise, Czech and Polish vehicles deployed to Lithuania by rail, stopping at the border to switch from broad-gauge Western European rails to the narrow-gauge variety found in much of Eastern Europe. Executing this transfer efficiently is vital to NATO’s ability to reinforce its eastern flank quickly.

After arriving in Lithuania, NATO troops proceeded to Pabrade Training Grounds to take part in the Lithuanian Exercise Iron Wolf II. To avoid the spread of COVID-19, troops avoided civilian populations during their transit and practised physical distancing.

Footage includes drone and standard shots of NATO soldiers transferring Polish armoured BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles across flatbed rail cars at a rail yard in Mockava, Lithuania.

TRANSCRIPT

1. (00:00) VARIOUS DRONE SHOTS – TRAIN CARRYING POLISH BMP-1 INFANTRY FIGHTING VEHICLES PULLING INTO MOCKAVA RAIL YARD
2. (00:41) VARIOUS SHOTS – TRAIN PULLING INTO MOCKAVA RAIL YARD
3. (00:54) MEDIUM SHOT – SIGN READING “MOCKAVA”
4. (00:58) VARIOUS DRONE SHOTS – TRAINS AT MOCKAVA RAIL YARD
5. (01:08) VARIOUS DRONE SHOTS – TRAINS WITH POLISH SOLDIERS
6. (01:33) MEDIUM SHOT – POLISH BMP-1 CREWS WALKING TO THEIR VEHICLES
7. (01:40) VARIOUS DRONE SHOTS – CREW BOARDING BMP-1s
8. (01:58) VARIOUS SHOTS – CREWS UNSTRAPPING BMP-1s FROM RAIL CARS
9. (01:59) MEDIUM SHOT – BMP-1 DRIVER CLIMBING IN HATCH
10. (02:05) DRONE SHOT – BMP-1 CREWS IN VEHICLES
11. (02:11) VARIOUS SHOTS – BMP-1s LOADING ONTO NEW RAIL CARS
12. (02:39) DRONE SHOT – BMP-1s LOADING ONTO NEW RAIL CARS
13. (02:45) VARIOUS GOPRO TIMELAPSE SHOTS – BMP-1s LOADING ONTO NEW RAIL CARS
14. (02:54) VARIOUS DRONE SHOTS – BMP-1s LOADING ONTO NEW RAIL CARS
15. (03:09) DRONE TIME LAPSE – MOCKAVA RAIL YARD More