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.

B-Roll: US Soldiers celebrate 80th anniversary of the liberation of Montecchio Maggiore, Italy

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

Video by Pfc. Jamaries Casado

April 27, 2025 | 2:58

U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 173rd Brigade Support Battalion (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade, participate in the Liberation Day Parade at Montecchio Maggiore, Italy, April 27, 2025. This day known as “Festa della Liberazione”, commemorates the end of the Nazi occupation and fascist rule during World War II. On April 28, 1945, a task force made up of Soldiers from the 88th Infantry Division liberated Montecchio Maggiore, just a few miles west of Vicenza, Italy. (U.S. Army video by Pfc. Jamaries Casado)

Shot List
(00:00:00) CLOSE SHOT CUTAWAY: Street signs.
(00:02:09) MEDIUM SHOT PAN DOWN: 173rd soldier holds the guidon in front of the formation.
(00:08:13) MEDIUM SHOT: Lt. Col. Ryan Hulse salutes.
(00:12:06) MEDIUM SHOT: Soldier salutes.
(00:14:07) MEDIUM SHOT: Soldier holds the guidon.
(00:16:14) WIDE SHOT: Italian representative delivers remarks on a podium.
(00:21:16) MEDIUM SHOT: Italian representative delivers remarks on a podium.
(00:28:09) MEDIUM SHOT PAN RIGHT: Local Italian school choir singing, man wiping his tears at the end.
(00:50:01) WIDE SHOT: Lt. Col. Hulse delivers remarks at the podium besides translator Angela Balbo.
(01:02:05) MEDIUM SHOT: Lt. Col. Hulse delivers remarks at the podium besides translator Angela Balbo.
(01:12:25) CLOSE SHOT CUTAWAY: Laurel wreath by a monument.
(01:15:06) MEDIUM SHOT CUTAWAY: Lion statue in front of the cathedral.
(01:17:07) WIDE SHOT PAN RIGHT: Italian actors reenact celebration on a tank during the tank parade.
(01:20:20) MEDIUM SHOT: Italian actors reenact celebration on a tank during the tank parade.
(01:25:11) MEDIUM SHOT: Italian actors reenact celebration on a tank during the tank parade.
(01:31:17) MEDIUM SHOT: Actors pose for a photo with a kid.
(01:35:07) MEDIUM SHOT: Actors pose for a photo with a family
(01:38:00) WIDE SHOT (SLOW-MO): Actors pose for a photo together.
(01:46:29) MEDIUM SHOT (SLOW-MO): Woman waves an Italian flag around the square.
(02:01:25) MEDIUM SHOT (SLOW-MO): Actors dance together around the square.
(02:12:10) MEDIUM SHOT (SLOW-MO): Legs of actors dancing around.
(02:19:12) WIDE SHOT: Soldiers and Italians dance together in the square.
(02:27:21) MEDIUM SHOT: Soldier and woman dance together in the square.
(02:32:19) WIDE SHOT: Soldiers and local communities hold hands and dance around in a circle.
(02:41:28) MEDIUM SHOT: Soldier and Italian actor dancing together.
(02:50:13) WIDE SHOT: Soldiers waving the Italian flag. More