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.

XCTC: 141 BSB conducts ECP Training

115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Video by Cpl. Alisha Grezlik

July 27, 2018 | 1:26

The 141st Brigade Support Battalion (Oregon) reacts to an 'attack' at their Entry Control Point. (ECP).
The 141st is one of the units participating in a large-scale training exercise, July 21-August 12, 2018, at Camp Roberts and Fort Hunter Liggett, California.
The exercise is an instrumented brigade field training exercise known as eXportable Combat Training Capability (XCTC) designed to certify platoon proficiency across the brigade in coordination with First Army. The XCTC program brings full training resource packages to National Guard and active duty bases around the country, allowing units to train on their schedule, closer to home, minimizing cost and time away from civilian jobs.
The training exercise prepares the brigade for supporting federal mobilizations. Units will be exercising tactical, operational, communications, and decision-making skills while focusing on problem analysis. More