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.

ATSEV Artist

AFN Superstation Sembach

Video by Airman Sieana Mackiewicz

March 12, 2014 | 1:29

Many people have hobbies like collecting coins or painting model cars. Airman Sieana Mackiewicz sat down with a staff sergeant who has a hobby that's made a big impact on his life and career. Staff Sergeant William Mangin spent the last year at Incirlik hustling cargo back and forth as an aerial porter, but he recently moved to a position as an air transportation evaluator.
I'm looking at everything from a completely new perspective. Where as I was an aircraft supervisor before, now I’m outside the job looking in and actually evaluating the process. It’s strange to see it from a different perspective. The transition wasn’t seamless and his perspective, as he puts it, may have changed some, but then again Sergeant Mangin is used to seeing things differently.
My drawings are, for me, it’s an escape. I’ve been doing it my entire life.”
As a top notch artist his work has been published in transformers comics, and featured in the video game blood rain two, but most important the art provides an outlet.
Hobbies are very important for stress relief. its that, at the end of the day, getting your mind off the things you’ve been stressed about. “
“Finding something that you really enjoy and honing your skill. Really kind of bring that stability back to your life through whatever means that you have, whatever hobby that you have.”
Mangin uses pen and pencils to help ease his transition…ultimately finding his balance within the sketches.
“It’s very important for your mental fitness i think.”
reporting from Incirlik Air Base, I’m Airman Sieana Mackiewicz. More