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.

JTACs train during Exercise Ample Strike in the Czech Republic

Natochannel

Video by Courtesy

Sept. 15, 2020 | 2:15

SYNOPSIS

Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) from six NATO Allies gathered in the Czech Republic to practise calling in air strikes from Allied aircraft during exercise Ample Strike 20. It’s the job of the JTACs to make sure military jets hit their target. Held annually in the Czech Republic, the exercise enables JTACs to develop their skills calling in close air support from different Allied jets. This high-stakes, painstaking process can be complicated by language barriers, so practice is crucial. Participating nations included the Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and the United States. Footage includes shots of a Czech JTAC calling in airstrikes, shots of Czech soldiers clearing a village and an interview with a Czech JTAC.

TRANSCRIPT

1. (00:00) PANNING SHOT – CZECH AIR FORCE Mi-24 ATTACK HELICOPTERS FLYING OVERHEAD 2. (00:05) VARIOUS SHOTS – CZECH JOINT TERMINAL ATTACK CONTROLLER (JTAC) SETTING UP HIS HIDE SITE 3. (00:15) MEDIUM SHOT – CZECH JTAC GETTING OUT BINOCULARS 4. (00:21) MEDIUM SHOT – CZECH JTAC MAKING A NOTE 5. (00:29) VARIOUS SHOTS – CZECH JTAC WATCHING A CZECH AIR FORCE L-159A ATTACK JET FLY BY 6. (00:45) WIDE SHOT – CZECH SOLDIERS DISEMBARKING FROM CZECH AIR FORCE Mi-8 TRANSPORT HELICOPTER 7. (00:50) WIDE SHOT – CZECH AIR FORCE HELICOPTER TAKING OFF 8. (00:58) VARIOUS SHOTS – CZECH SOLDIERS STORMING VILLAGE DURING EXERCISE 9. (01:16) VARIOUS SHOTS – CZECH SOLDIERS INSIDE BUILDING 10. (01:29) SOUNDBITE (CZECH) – JOINT TERMINAL ATTACK CONTROLLER (NAME WITHHELD) CZECH ARMY SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES “The training in Ample Strike is primarily focused on cooperation between the JTACs, the ground forces and the air forces.” 11. (01:36) SOUNDBITE (CZECH) – JOINT TERMINAL ATTACK CONTROLLER (NAME WITHHELD) CZECH ARMY SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES “I think it’s good for two reasons. On one hand, all the armies must remain able to fight even during the coronavirus pandemic. We cannot stay at home in our home office, taking a rest. We must always maintain our abilities. That is one reason. And the other reason is that this exercise, which is focused on JTACs, provides us with the reassurance that this year we will meet the necessary numbers and types of flight guides which are required by regulations.” ### More