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.

SETAF Task Force Minute: Episode 02 [September 2025]

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

Video by Chris House

Oct. 8, 2025 | 1:00

The “Task Force Minute" is a monthly video showcasing U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa’s (SETAF-AF) activities, area of operations and beyond.

Task Force Minute - Episode 02 showcases:
01. 173rd Airborne Brigade & U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa – Expert Infantry and Expert Soldier Badge – Grafenwoehr, Germany
02. 173rd Airborne Brigade – Maj. Gen. James D. Turinetti visits the brigade’s drone lab – Vicenza, Italy
03. U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa – Medical Crisis Response Training – Luanda, Angola
04. 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment – Operation Northern Arrow Preparatory Training – Ansbach, Germany
05. U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa – U.S. and Italy Spectrum Analysis Equipment Training - Vicenza, Italy

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition, and strengthens partners to achieve U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command campaign objectives. (U.S. Army video edited by Chris House)
[Music Licensed via Pixabay Music, “Reborn (battle hybrid cinematic action)” by Kulakovka] More