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.

DHS Continues Direct Repatriations of Venezuelan Nationals

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Video by John Blackburn

Oct. 23, 2023 | 1:08

Yesterday, the United States, led by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with support from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, facilitated a second charter flight to Venezuela to remove individuals with no legal basis to remain in the US. This builds on frequent ICE removal flights throughout the hemisphere and around the world and continued removals of Venezuelans to Mexico. DHS continues to enforce the United States’ immigration laws while strengthening penalties for those who cross our border unlawfully.

Since May 2023, DHS has removed or returned more than 300,000 noncitizens, including more than 45,000 individual family unit members. More