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.

Maritime Training Activity (MTA) Malaysia 2019 - Maritime Domain Awareness B-roll

AFN Okinawa

Video by Staff Sgt. Hugo Delgado

Aug. 16, 2019 | 3:13

U.S. Navy service members and civilain instructors went over Martime Domain Awareness (MDA) training with Royal Malaysian Navy service members. Maritime Domain Awareness ensures the safety and security of ocean operations in the Indo-Pacific region.

MTA Malaysia 2019 marks 25 years of maritime engagement between the U.S. and Malaysia. The exercise is held in Lumut and is designed to address shared maritime security concerns and priorities, enhance capacity and interoperability, and develop relationships between participating forces.

MTA Malaysia features U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton (CG 54), littoral combat ship USS Montgomery (LCS 8), Safeguard-class salvage ship USNS Salvor, expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Millinocket (T-EPF 3), Mobile Dive and Salvage Unit 1, Naval Criminal Investigative Services Security Training and Assessment Team, an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter, and an MH-65 Eurocopter. In addition, the U.S. will be supported by USMC, MDSU and C7F Band. More