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.

BROLL: New York National Guard conducts artillery training at African Lion 2024

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

Video by Spc. Lukas Sparks

May 5, 2024 | 3:15

U.S. Army Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 258th Field Artillery, 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, New York National Guard, conduct artillery operations with M119 howitzers in Ben Ghilouf, Tunisia, May 5, 2024. African Lion 2024 marks the 20th anniversary of U.S. Africa Command’s premier joint exercise led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), running from April 19 to May 31 across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, with over 8,100 participants from 27 nations and NATO contingents. (U.S. Army video by Sgt. Lukas Sparks)

Shot List:
(00:00) ESTABLISHING: Artillery camp.
(00:05) MED: U.S. Army Soldier works on field equipment and calls commands.
(00:15) MED: Soldiers adjust howitzer placement.
(00:22) MED: Soldier adjusts sights on howitzer.
(00:29) MED: Soldier brings mock artillery round to howitzer.
(00:39) MED CLOSE: Soldiers insert mock round into howitzer.
(00:43) MED: Soldier finds target on sights of howitzer.
(00:51) WIDE: Team is given commands to start firing process.
(00:56) MED: Team lead orders howitzer to be fired.
(00:59) MED: Team simulates fire and shell extraction.
(01:06) MED: Team adjusts howitzer placement.
(01:22) MED: Soldiers adjust height of howitzer barrel to firing position.
(01:32) MED, SLOW MOTION: Soldiers fire live round of howitzer.
(01:45) WIDE PAN: Establishing placement of howitzers.
(01:53) CLOSE: Soldiers furiously twist tops of artillery shells.
(02:04) MED: Soldiers bring additional artillery shell boxes. More