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.

US, JMSDF, Royal Australian Navy sail information

Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet

Video by Petty Officer 2nd Class Colby Mothershead

June 23, 2022 | 0:57

PACIFIC OCEAN (June 23, 2022) Ships of Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (ABECSG) sail in formation with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and Royal Australian Navy ships while transiting to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. Front row, right to left: HMAS Canberra (L 02), USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and JS Izumo (DDH 183). Second row, right to left: JS Takanami (DD 110), HMAS Supply (AO 195) and USS Mobile Bay (CG 53). Third row, right to left: USS Sampson (DDG 102), USS Gridley (DDG 101) and HMAS Warramunga (FFGHM 152). Back row: USS Spruance (DDG 111). Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, four submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 to Aug. 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy Video by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Colby A. Mothershead) More