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.

B-Roll: New Hampshire National Guard joins Morocco, conducts sling load training at African Lion 2025

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

Video by Spc. Gavin Hardy

May 17, 2025 | 1:59

U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 744th Forward Support Company, 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, New Hampshire Army National Guard, conduct a sling load training exercise utilizing a CH-47 Chinook helicopter to transport a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) together with the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces at African Lion 2025 (AL25) in Tan Tan, Morocco, May 17, 2025. Sling load training improves logistical agility, enhances interoperability with allied forces, and ensures rapid and efficient transport of critical supplies, strengthening readiness for future multinational operations. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win (U.S. Army Reserve video by Spc. Gavin Hardy).

00:00:00) LONG SHOT: Chinook flies across the screen
(00;00;05;00) MEDIUM SHOT: Chinook landing on helipad
(00;00;12;00) MEDIUM SHOT: U.S. Army and FAR talking
(00;00;18;00) CLOSE SHOT: FAR unit patch
(00;00;23;00) CLOSE SHOT: FAR symbol
(00;00;28;00) LONG SHOT: Attaching rope to HIMARS ammo
(00;00;34;27) MEDIUM SHOT: FAR putting on flick
(00;00;39;27) CLOSE SHOT: Army 744th FSC, 3-197th Field Artillery Regiment unit patch
(00;00;44;27) MEDIUM SHOT: Running to the helipad
(00;00;50;27) MEDIUM SHOT: getting set
(00;00;56;27) MEDIUM SHOT: Chinook heading towards the HIMARS ammo
(00;01;03;29) MEDIUM SHOT: securing the load
(00;01;08;29) MEDIUM SHOT: Attaching the rope left side
(00;01;13;29) MEDIUM SHOT: Attaching the rope right side
(00;01;18;29) MEDIUM SHOT: leaving helipad
(00;01;25;28) LONG SHOT: Chinook taking load
(00;01;30;27) LONG SHOT: Chinook bringing back the load
(00;01;36;10) LONG SHOT: Chinook landing
(00;01;42;10) CLOSE SHOT: FAR signing HIMARS ammo
(00;01;47;10) LONG SHOT: Chinook leaving
(00;01;52;10) LONG SHOT: Chinook flying overhead
(00;01;58;10) MEDIUM SHOT: Group hug More