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.

Tinian Island: WWII's Busiest Airfield Comes Back Into Focus

Headquarters Air Force, Office of the Director of Civil Engineers

Video by Patrick Focke

Oct. 24, 2024 | 7:36

At one point in time, Tinian was the largest airfield in the Pacific region. While not currently operational, this historic island is still considered to be one of the most important battlegrounds in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. military today.

Despite its relatively small size of about 39 square miles, this mighty territory in the Mariana Islands quickly became a strategic foothold for both Japanese and American forces following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. In 1944, the U.S. military captured Tinian, establishing a crucial base for air operations against Japan. The island was home to the U.S. military’s largest B-29 Superfortress fleet, which launched the atomic bombs that ended World War II.

Following the end of WWII, military activity on Tinian ceased, which resulted in the deterioration of its airfields. With the island now re-emerging as a key strategic location for the U.S. military, the 513 ERHS is working alongside Navy Seabees to restore Tinian’s runways and return them to operable conditions.

Don’t miss this captivating video that delves into Tinian’s rich history and explores how Engineers are shaping the island to support the USAF’s mission in 2024 and beyond.

USAF video by HAF AF/A4C Strategic Communications More