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.

Military Intelligence Readiness Command 2024 b-roll package

Military Intelligence Readiness Command

Video by Lt. Col. Joshua Frye

Aug. 27, 2024 | 7:57

B-roll package prepared as part of an overview video created for the Military Intelligence Readiness Command Senior Leader Forum 2024, Sept. 6-8, 2024. Recorded at the Staff Sergeant Richard S. Eaton Jr. U.S. Army Reserve Center, Ft. Belvoir, Va.

00:00:00 – 00:53:14 – U.S. Army Reserve Captain Natalya Kimble, a military intelligence officer, depicts collecting signals intelligence (SIGINT).

00:53:15 - 01:40:04 - U.S. Army Reserve Chief Warrant Officer 3 Scotty Stock briefs off of a large screen demonstrating geospatial intelligence (GEOINT).

01:40:05 - 02:51:23 – U.S. Army Reserve Sergeant 1st Class Waliek Copeland participates in a mock interrogation to depict human intelligence collection (HUMINT).

02:51:24 – 04:12:27 – U.S. Army Reserve Sergeant 1st Class Aaron Bell poses in full combat gear and armed with an M4A1 carbine and an M17 pistol.

04:12:28 – 04:29:21 - U.S. Army Reserve Sergeant 1st Class Kadiatu Sesay portrays human intelligence collection (HUMINT).

04:29:22 - 05:34:12 - U.S. Army Reserve Staff Sergeant Francisco Martigonzalez handles a small unmanned aerial system (drone) while depicting technical intelligence (TECHINT).

05:34:13 – 07:57:08 - U.S. Army Reserve Lt. Col. Joshua Frye wears full combat gear and an M50 protective mask while accessing a mission command system.

(U.S. Army Reserve video by Lt. Col. Joshua Frye) More