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.

Iowa Nebraska football flyover

185th Air Refueling Wing, Iowa Air National Guard

Video by Senior Master Sgt. Vincent De Groot

Nov. 25, 2022 | 1:34

B-roll video shows the view from the boom window of a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker from the Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th Air Refueling Wing performing a flyover above Kinnick stadium prior to the Iowa vs Nebraska football “Heroes” game in Iowa City on November 25, 2022.

The Iowa Air Guard unit from Sioux City was invited to perform the flyover in front of the home crowd as part of Thanksgiving weekend game.

The home team flyover however is always exciting for unit members who get a chance to be a part of the excitement of Big 10 football.

Because Sioux City is situated on Iowa’s western boarder with Nebraska, it is not unusual for homes in Sioux City to be decorated with equal numbers of Hawkeye and Cornhusker flags on game day.

As 185th Airmen were honored prior to the fourth quarter during the game, aircrew members revealed Iowa black and gold t-shirts hidden under their flight suits as they appeared on the stadium Jumbotron and one Nebraska T-shirt also made an appearance.

The Iowa Air National Guard has units in Des Moines, Sioux City and Fort Dodge, Iowa and draws members from across the state of Iowa as well as surrounding states. Most unit members live and work in Iowa but a some come from boarder states and beyond.

Flying demonstrations like the one on Friday are part of the U.S. Air Force aerial events program that are designed to incorporate training activities with aerial demonstrations. These events also help foster unit morale and contribute to community support. More