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.

Camp Zama BOSS Soldiers and members of JGSDF cleanup Historical Park on Camp Zama

U.S. Army Garrison - Japan

Video by Daisuke Sato

May 29, 2020 | 2:27

Narration:
More than 20 U.S. Soldiers with Camp Zama’s Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program, or BOSS, worked together with about 20 single Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members to clean up the area surrounding a historical park on the installation.

Interview: SGT Jennifer Jackson, President, Camp Zama BOSS

Narration:
The Soldiers and JGSDF members were divided into small groups. They pulled weeds near a large torii gate and around several historical monuments, collected dead limbs, shoveled mud, and swept away debris as part of their beautification efforts.

Interview: PVT Jasmine Jones, BOSS Member

Interview: SFC Mitsuki Sato, Bilateral Coordination Department, JGSDF
Today was a great opportunity for both groups to get to know each other’s culture better. Even though our methods for cleaning up the park were slightly different, we had the same goal overall. I believe that if we interact more and learn more about each other, we can deepen our mutual understating of each other and strengthen our friendship even more.

Narration:
The clean-up effort was the first of its kind on the installation to be hosted bilaterally by single Soldiers and JGSDF members.

Interview: SGT Jennifer Jackson, President, Camp Zama BOSS

Narration:

Reporting for U.S. Army Garrison Japan, this is XXXXXXXX More