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.

NOBLE JUMP 17 - Polish Army conduct Ambush Training Interviews

Allied Joint Force Command Naples

Video by Courtesy

June 10, 2017 | 3:17

As the training area begins to dry out, the Polish soldiers of 2nd Pl, 1st Coy, 10th Armd Cav Bde conduct Ambush Training with the help of the Romanian Army playing enemy.

Cameraman: Sgt Mike O’Neill RLC ABIPP, ARRC CCT

Shot List:
00.00.00 – 00.03.00 Name slate
00.03.00 – 02.02.04 IV with 2nd LT Jakub Gryn
“2nd Lieutenant Jakub Gryn from the Polish Armed Forces, 10th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, 1st Coy, 2nd Platoon Commander”

“Today we’re training with Romanian platoon. We’re going to conduct ambush on them and find out how they’re working in the field, how my platoon is going to do this task, that’s all.”

“So far I’ve been working with American choppers, especially with Apaches and Chinooks. We were conducting, let’s say, an assault on a hill, including transport including Chinook helicopter and CCA conducted by Apache platoon. So it’s my experience with foreign nations here. Before that I was training with British forces in Sennelager camp in 2016”

“It’s very good for me, it’s very good to check how other nations are working, how they train, how they conduct their procedures, what are the differences between Polish forces, Spanish forces, Romanians, US Army and British forces too. So, it’s very good for us together, all experiences”

(Interviewer question, “so, what’s been the best part for you, sir?)

“The best part so far was the exercise with Apaches and Chinooks, because I never had the opportunity to work with these vehicles, use them. So it was very interesting for me, for my men and was very, very, very good experience.”
02.02.04 - 02.05.07 Name slate
02.05.07 - 02.55.12 IV with Rfn Daniel Hetnar

“Private Hetnar, Daniel, Rifleman, 1st Coy, Second Platoon.”

(Interviewer question, “so, what are you guys doing out here today?)_

“Today we’ll have ambush for Romanian soldiers, we’ll try to capture them. I hope it will work.”

(Interviewer question,”is this the first time you’ve worked with other nations?)

“No, we cooperated with US Army in our Brigade and here also it’s not our first time when we are abroad”

(Interviewer question “what has been your experience working with other nations?”)

“Until now we cooperate with US Army and we’ve been in Germany on special training.”

(Interviewer question, “so how have you found your experience at Noble Jump?”)

“Oh, we are really positive about Noble Jump in here, we were really warmly welcomed by Romanian soldiers and we had really good training with NATO nations.”

02.51.12 - 03.14.19 Rfn Hetnar supporting clips More