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.

U.S. Marines showcase Black Hornet drone to Indonesian marines

11th Marine Expeditionary Unit

Video by Sgt. Ryan Pulliam

Nov. 17, 2022 | 8:34

U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia (MRF-SEA), I Marine Expeditionary Force, conduct a showcase of the PD-100 “Black Hornet” unmanned aircraft system to Indonesian marines with 7th Infantry Battalion, 4th Marine Brigade, during Keris Marine Exercise (MAREX) 23 on 7th Infantry Battalion Base, Lampung, Indonesia, Nov. 17, 2022. Keris MAREX is a bilateral exercise hosted by the Indonesian National Military between the Korps Marinir Republik Indonesia and U.S. Marine Corps focused on promoting military interoperability, maritime domain awareness, strengthening relationships, and expanding capabilities among participating forces. MRF-SEA is an operational model developed by Marine Corps Forces Pacific that postures scalable I Marine Expeditionary Forces west of the International Date Line, conducts a series of planned subject matter experts exchanges, and advances security objectives shared with our Allies and Partners. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Ryan H. Pulliam) More