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.

New York Air National Guard's 174th Attack Wing

174th Attack Wing

Video by Master Sgt. Eric Miller

Jan. 15, 2016 | 6:04

The daily mission across Hancock Field is to provide qualified airmen and weapon systems to joint global air, space and cyberspace operations, in support of homeland defense, and to aid civil authorities at the direction of the Governor of New York State. We are home to a number of diverse and unique missions, including the 174th Attack Wing's MQ-9 combat operations mission, MQ-9 aircrew training mission, and MQ-9 maintenance training mission; the 274th Air Support Operations Squadron’s Close Air Support command, control and coordination mission; the 222nd Command & Control Squadron’s space operations control mission; and the 152nd Air Operations Group’s air operations center mission.

The New York Air National Guard's 174th Attack Wing conducted their first MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) flying operation from Hancock Field Air National Guard Base and Syracuse Hancock International Airport on Wednesday, December 16, 2015. The 174th Attack Wing is the first United States Air Force organization in the United States to fly an RPA in class "C" airspace, the common airspace around commercial airports.
The 174th Attack Wing was established in 1947 as the first Air National Guard flying unit in New York State. Throughout its history, it has flown F-47 Thunderbolts, F-51 Mustangs, F-84 Thunderjets, F-86 Sabres, A-37 Dragonflies, A-10 Thunderbolts and the F-16 Fighting Falcon. It currently flies the MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft. More