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.

Exercise Pacific Endeavor 2016

DMA Pacific - Hawaii Media Bureau

Video by Staff Sgt. Erin Mills

Aug. 29, 2016 | 4:02

BRISBANE, Australia - 22 Aug 16 – Exercise Pacific Endeavor 2016 (PE16) is in full swing after its official start, with nearly 250 military members from over 20 Pacific partner-nations participating. These communication experts are learning first-hand the importance of speed and interoperability of communication assets when responding to a multinational crisis. Representatives from the Multinational Communications Interoperability Program (MCIP), a U.S. Pacific Command sponsored Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HA/DR) information-sharing operation, are co-hosting the exercise with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to help improve interoperability of communications technologies between partner-nations in the Indo-Asia Pacific region. The exercise is made up of multiple training modules aimed to keep participants ahead of ever changing technological advances, in case of an emergency situation. In addition to validating existing radio, cyber and satellite technologies, PE16 will offer something completely new, by putting some of the lessons learned from PE15 into hands-on practice during a field training exercise. Using two simulated forward operating bases, the participants will field an innovative communication transmission skill. “This year we’re focusing on a new capability, internet protocol over radio frequency (RF).” said Scott Griffin, the MCIP’s Technical Director. That will give everyone, regardless of the type of radio you’re using the ability to tie into a backside network and link into the internet.” Using internet protocol over RF would help responders on the ground in a crisis event transmit much needed information over much farther distances and terrain than tradition methods. These types of innovations are what keep these communicators ready for what may lie ahead. “Technology has grown exponentially.” Said Col. Jim McCallister, Chief of Multinational Engagements at U.S. Pacific Command. “We constantly have to strive to reach out to discover new toolsets and new technologies to support our common efforts…because we know that we will have some sort of disaster in the [Indo-Asia Pacific] region, that’s what the percentages say.” These relationships have in fact proved to be very valuable, as seen during HA/DR events in Nepal and the Philippines in recent years. Every participant of this exercise knows it’s not a matter of “if” a natural disaster or crisis event happens but “when,” so much of Pacific Endeavor’s true value stems from its decade-long evolution of growth and learning through face-to-face interactions. “Far above the communications interoperability piece, it’s just the relationship-building, the bonds that everybody creates and the contacts that you create that can come in very useful,” said Lt. Col. Nicole Heffernan of the Royal Australian Air Force, and co-host for the exercise. “We are so looking forward to the next two weeks. said Lt. Col. Michael King from the Australian Defense Force delegation. “We want to continue working on our interoperability and our relationships and friendships with each other, so that when we do have the unfortunate circumstances or natural disasters in any of our countries, we are all more capable to respond quicker and faster to be able to help all our people, especially the most vulnerable.” The nations expected to participate this year are Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Fiji, French Polynesia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Samoa, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, United States and Vietnam. The exercise is scheduled to run for two weeks and conclude on 2 Sep. This year’s PE workshop marks the 14th Anniversary of this program. More

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“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.”

Air Force & Space Force announce sweeping changes to maintain superiority amid Great Power Competition

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