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.

Marines setup ME-L/COC during Advanced Warfighting Experiment

Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory | Futures Directorate

Video by Gunnery Sgt. Jeremy Vought

July 14, 2014 | 3:21

Marines with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, use the Marine Air Ground Task Force Enabler-Light (ME-L) at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, July 14, 2014, as part of Rim of the Pacific 2014. The ME-L is experimental technology being tested by the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab during Rim of the Pacific 2014. There are multiple technologies being tested during RIMPAC, the largest maritime exercise in the Pacific region. The ME-L is a command and control suite with radios including DTCS, NGC2, and Ku SatCom and workstations mounted in an Internally Transportable Vehicle (ITV). It will serve as a Point of Presence that connects tactical networks to the Global Information Grid with Over-The-Horizon communications and serves as the Combat Operations Center for the Company Landing Team. It has successfully completed developmental testing and experimentation as part of the Enhanced MAGTF Operations (EMO) campaign. More