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.

Helicopter rescue training has Iowa Army and Air Guard training together

185th Air Refueling Wing, Iowa Air National Guard

Video by Senior Master Sgt. Vincent De Groot

June 16, 2023 | 8:11

B-roll video shows helicopter training in Homer Neb. where Iowa National Guard Airmen and Soldiers are practicing land and water extractions.

Military pilots regularly train on survival techniques, but they don’t often have the opportunity to practice the intricacies of being hoisted into a helicopter.

The exercise had Iowa National Guard Airmen catching a lift from their Iowa Army Guard counterparts using a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.

The downed pilots in the training exercise are from Iowa’s 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City. The pilot’s rescuers are from the Iowa Army National Guard’s General Aviation Support Battalion based in Davenport.

After making the trip from the opposite side of the Hawkeye State to Homer Neb. near Sioux City, the Black Hawk aircrew landed at the training site.

KC-135 pilots were first hoisted to the helicopter in a rescue strop on the relative safety of dry land. The group of around a dozen pilots later jumped into the water where the awaited extraction.

Each Airmen got to experience the helplessness and trust of relying on their rescuer to bring them to safety. The training allowed the Iowa NG helicopter crew to practice extraction and exercised their equipment and techniques associated with air rescue.

Lower thirds: Master Sgt. Jeff Campbell 185th Air Refueling Wing Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape Specialists More