Reoptimization for Great Power Competition

GPC Key Decisions

USAF Case for Change

SecAF Memo

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.

75th Anniversary Bat tail flash painted on Iowa ANG KC-135

185th Air Refueling Wing, Iowa Air National Guard

Video by Senior Master Sgt. Vincent De Groot

Dec. 22, 2020 | 3:33

B-roll video shows an Iowa Air National Guard KC-135 with special 75th anniversary markings.

An Iowa Air National Guard KC-135 painted with special 75th anniversary markings was revealed this week at the Sioux City, Iowa based unit. The 185th Air Refueling Wing commemorative paint scheme includes a giant “bat” tail flash. The paint scheme also included nose art showing a 75th anniversary diamond surrounded by silhouettes depicting each aircraft flown by the unit since its beginnings in 1946.

A thunderbolt painted along with the diamond on the front of the aircraft is representative of some of the first jet aircraft flown like the F-84 “Thunderjet.”

The retro gothic bat on the tail of the aircraft is a throwback to when the unit used to fly F-16 Fighter aircraft during the 1990s. The bat moniker was first adopted following the unit’s yearlong deployment to Vietnam in the late 1960s when the unit often flew missions during nighttime hours.

The unit flew single seat fighter aircraft for most of it history before converting to the KC-135 in 2003.

Various bat graphics didn’t appear on unit aircraft until the 1980s and 90s which included the iconic bat tail flash from the unit’s F-16 that has now been recreated on the tail of the KC-135.

Lower thirds: Chief Master Sgt. Eric Kelley 185th Air Refueling Wing More