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.

Convoy support centers across Germany provide support to incoming Atlantic Resolve armored brigade

5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Video by Pfc. Andrew Wash

Oct. 15, 2019 | 1:46

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion welcome the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division from Fort Hood, Texas, at Ayrshire Barracks Convoy Support Center in Mönchengladbach, Germany. Convoy support centers provide life and maintenance support to the 2ABCT at multiple locations throughout Europe, as they make their way to the final destination in support of Atlantic Resolve. The 2ABCT is the incoming Atlantic Resolve armored brigade who will move and mass forces across the Atlantic Resolve area of operations to exhibit readiness, cross border military mobility and speed of assembly with ally and partner nation forces. More