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.

NEXRAD Doppler Weather Radar

Defense Media Activity - Air Force

Video by Senior Airman Mariko Frazee

July 25, 2012 | 2:02

Lead: Just 3 Airmen from Andersen’s 36th Communications Squadron work diligently to ensure the only weather radar in the entire Marianas Islands provides vital information to Andersen base weather, Guam International Airport, and even Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. SrA Whitlow explains what the radar is, how it works, and how important it is to the Andersen mission. Narration: Tucked behind the backroads of Guam, just south of Andersen Air Force Base stands a lone, tall radar tower. Operated by just 3 Airmen from the 36th Communications Squadron, it’s what they call the NEXRAD Doppler Radar. SSgt David Vanderloop, Ground Radar Technician, 36th Communications Squadron (36 CS): “The NEXRAD radar is a Next Generation weather Radar used here on Andersen. It provides products to Andersen base weather, FAA, the National Weather Service, and also Hickam gets a feed of from radar site.” Narration: The NEXRAD Doppler Radar system is a network of high-resolution weather radars operated by the National Weather Service. The NEXRAD detects precipitation, atmospheric movement, or wind by shooting radio frequencies out into the air. SSgt Vanderloop: “How the NEXRAD radar works is, we generate pulsed RF which shoots out of the antenna, which will then bounce off of a cloud, and then receive back into the same antenna it transmitted from, we will then process then send out to all of our users.” Narration: Although satellites work for a similar purpose, the NEXRAD radar provides a more in-depth look into the atmosphere. SSgt Benjamin Touchstone, Ground Radar Systems NCOIC, 36th Communications Squadron (36 CS): “Satellites coverage will give you a more aerial view of the cloud coverage in the area. The difference between it and the radar is the radar gives you a more detailed internal look of the cloud. So you can see what’s actually going on inside of it.” Narration: Without that radar coverage, weather forecasting is much more limited, which in turn directly affects Andersen’s high operational flying missions. SSgt Touchstone: “It’s important to have it up with all the air traffic we have coming in and out of Guam International Airport plus all of the training missions and exercises we run here from Andersen. Especially in certain circumstances where you’re flying stealth missions and things like that, some of those airplanes won’t actually fly without radar coverage up. These products are absolutely vital to all of Andersen’s flying missions” Narration: The NEXRAD is the only weather radar within the Marianas region. It serves the Andersen mission while also providing the Pacific region a detailed look into Guam’s skies. Soundbites from Staff Sgt. David Vanderloop, Staff Sgt. Benjamin Touchstone. Produced by Senior Airman Mariko Whitlow. Also available in high definition. More