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.

Marines simultainiously refuel and load ordnance

Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron-1

Video by Sgt. Takoune Norasingh

Sept. 11, 2018 | 1:18

U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One simultainiously conduct an ordnance load and refueling drill on an AV-8B Harrier II Plus in order to develop procedures for the rest of the Marine Corps during Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI) at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, Sept. 11, 2018. WTI is a seven-week training course hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) which emphasizes operational integration of the six functions of the Marine Corps aviation in support of a Marine air-ground task force. WTI also provides standardized advanced tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine aviation training and readiness, and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Takoune H. Norasingh) More