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.

SCANG participates in Relampago VII

Air Forces Southern

Video by 1st Sgt. Carl Clegg

Sept. 2, 2022 | 2:20

U.S. Air Force Col. Quaid Quadri, Commander of South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing, gives a familiarization flight in a U.S. Air Force F-16D Fighting Falcon fighter jet to Colombian Air Force, Air Combat Commander, Col. Pedro Vega. The 60 FPS video includes runway operations, step to the jet, taxi, flyover, and U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Ernest Rogers, a crew chief with the South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron during Relampago VII, an exercise in Barranquilla, Colombia, Sept. 2, 2022. The purpose of this exercise is to provide the Colombian Air Force with requested realistic interoperability training as allied countries, under NATO standards. South Carolina is Colombia’s State Partner in the State Partnership Program. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Carl Clegg, 169th Fighter Wing Public Affairs) More