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.

Long Tom River drop structure dangers

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District

Video by Tom Conning

April 25, 2023 | 2:55

Army engineers built Fern Ridge Dam in the 1940’s. It blocks the Long Tom River in central-western Oregon. Fern Ridge reduces flooding and provides irrigation and recreation in its reservoir. Engineers also heavily modified the lower Long Tom River, downstream.

Much of the Long Tom's banks are private property, with little maintenance making access problematic. Many areas are steep with thick vegetation. These aspects can make finding places to put in or take out difficult. That makes recreating challenging, especially with other dangers lurking.

There are also several low-head dams or drop structures in the river. These structures help with flooding and irrigation but can trap unsuspecting boaters at higher flows with recirculating currents.

Because the structures span the width of the river, escape from the currents can be extremely difficult, if not impossible. More