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.

What is NATO’s VJTF? (master subs)

Natochannel

Video by Courtesy

Sept. 14, 2021 | 0:56

SYNOPSIS
In 2021, the Turkish Army is leading NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) – NATO’s spearhead force, designed to be deployed within two or three days should a crisis occur. Leadership of the VJTF rotates between Allies on an annual basis, and Turkey is leading the force from 1 January 2021 to 1 January 2022.

Numbers of VJTF personnel fluctuate each year. In 2021, the VJTF consists of 6,400 troops from 12 countries. In May and June 2021, the force deployed to Romania to take part in exercise Steadfast Defender 2021.

Lieutenant General Roger L. Cloutier Jr, Commander of Allied Land Command, explains more.

Footage includes various shots of soldiers from different NATO countries training at Cincu exercise area in Romania as part of NATO exercise Steadfast Defender 2021.

TRANSCRIPT

--UPSOT (ITALIAN)—
Spread out!

Close up – Italian soldier shouts during training

Aerial shots – armoured personnel carriers drive through smoke

TEXT – WHAT IS NATO’S VJTF?

Mid shot – Spanish sniper fires weapon

Mid shot – Romanian soldier fires RPG

Various shots – Romanian special forces soldiers rappel from helicopter during training

--SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH)—
Lieutenant General Roger L. Cloutier Jr, Commander Allied Land Command
“A VJTF is a Very High Readiness Joint Task Force and it demonstrates NATO’s capability to have a highly trained, rapidly deployable unit on standby to respond to crisis or conflict if necessary.”

TEXT - LTG ROGER L. CLOUTIER JR
Commander, Allied Land Command

Aerial shot – US M1 Abrams tank drives across field during exercise Steadfast Defender

Various shots – Italian and Spanish soldiers conduct urban operations training at Steadfast Defender

Aerial shots – Turkish soldiers and vehicles training at exercise Steadfast Defender

TEXT – IN 2021 THE TURKISH ARMY IS LEADING THE FORCE

Various shots – Turkish commander briefs multinational soldiers during exercise Steadfast Defender

TEXT – THE FORCE CONSISTS OF 6,400 TROOPS FROM 12 COUNTRIES

Split screen – soldiers from the various countries that make up the VJTF

AND IS READY TO DEPLOY AT SHORT NOTICE IF NEEDED

--SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH)—
Lieutenant General Roger L. Cloutier Jr, Commander Allied Land Command
“As NATO LANDCOM commander, I focus every day on the combat readiness of NATO’s land forces and the VJTF is the tip of the spear.”

Various shots – ground movement exercises at Steadfast Defender More