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.

B-roll: African Lion 2025 opens in Morocco, strengthening regional security corporation

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

Video by Staff Sgt. Aaliyah Craven

May 11, 2025 | 1:33

U.S. and multinational partner forces attend the opening ceremony of African Lion 2025 (AL25) at Agadir, Morocco, May 12, 2025. Senior U.S. and Moroccan leaders spoke, thanking each other for the partnership and welcoming everyone to the start of the exercise. 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 video by Staff Sgt. Aaliyah Craven)

Shot List
(00:00:00) LONG SHOT: Rack Focus of National flags and African Lion 2025 Background
(00:07:03) LONG SHOT: US and Moroccan Senior Leaders walking alongside each other
(00:21:00) CLOSE UP SHOT: Rack Focus of US and Moroccan Flag
(00:27:09) MEDIUM SHOT: US and Moroccan servicemember having a discussion
(00:33:07) MEDIUM SHOT: US and Moroccan servicemember having a discussion
(00:37:13) MEDIUM SHOT: US Soldier listening to speaker
(00:44:08) MEDIUM SHOT: Moroccan Royal Armed Forces Maj. Gen. Mohammed Benlouali, Morocco Southern Zone commanding general, center, giving a speech
(00:49:25) LONG SHOT: U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Daniel Cederman, the Deputy Commanding General - Reserve, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, gives a speech
(00:57:02) LONG SHOT: A U.S. Soldier watching U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Daniel Cederman giving an opening speech
(01:05:17) LONG SHOT: Moroccan Royal Armed Forces Maj. Gen. Mohammed Benlouali, Morocco Southern Zone commanding general, applauds after a speech
(01:08:21) CLOSE UP SHOT: Terrain Model Kit of Morocco
(01:14:02) LONG SHOT: Moroccan Armed Force Soldier places markers on a Terrain Model Kit of Morocco
(01:27:16) CLOSE UP: Moroccan Armed Force Soldier places markers on a Terrain Model Kit of Morocco More