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.

TRIDENT JUNCTURE 2018 - Ships in formation and interviews with Greek and Romanian personnel onboard NATO Standing Martime Group 2

Allied Joint Force Command Naples

Video by Courtesy

Nov. 7, 2018 | 2:05

NATO Standing Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) is taking part in NATO exercise Trident Juncture 18. During a media event, the ships sailed together in formation.

Footage includes views of formation sailing and interview with Greek and Romanian personnel the staff of SNMG2.

Exercise Trident Juncture 2018 brings together around 50,000 personnel, 10,000 vehicles, 65 ships and 250 aircraft from 31 NATO Allies and partner nations. Held in
Norway, the NATO exercise starts on 25 October and continues through 7 November.

Video by NATO Allied Maritime Command

Shot List
00:00:00:00
Wide shot – wide shot of NATO ships
00:00:05:20
Various shots - from Danish ship HDMS Esbern Snare of NATO frigates in formation
00:00:14:13
Various shots – Swedish Visby-class corvette passes by.
00:00:24:12
Two US Marine Corps V-22 Osprey rotary wing aircraft fly by.
00:00:31:10
Portuguese frigate NRP Corte-Real followed by Turkish frigate TCG Orucreis.
00:00:36:20
Norwegian frigate Otto Sverdrup in the lead
00:00:39:22
View from Esbern Snare of other ships in formation
00:00:49:07
SOUNDBITE (English), LTC Andonios Posito, Staff Plan Officer
“I’m Lieutenant Command Andonios Posito, I’m coming from Greece and currently I’m the Plans Officer, SNMG2”
“I am the Staff Planning Officer, either for missions or for operations and interactions
with other units and of course other nations in any occasion.”
“My day begins very early in the morning. The work rhythm here needs to be very
precise and accurate, so we have two briefings throughout the day and several other
coordination meetings between the staff.”
“Being among the staff, we are almost 19 persons, coming from six different
coutnries, so this is really interesting. The interaction with them, discussions with
them and of course their point of view in several occasions gives me the opportunity
to interact with them very efficiently and effectively.”
00:01:41:00
SOUNDBITE (English), LT Claudio Utrea, Staff Plan Officer
“Good evening, I am Lieutenant Utrea from Romanian Navy, I’m a Staff
Communication Officer.”
“In the staff, I am responsible for coordinating communication meetings,
information management and I also have battle watch captain duty.”
“Working in an international staff is challenging, but everybody’s doing his best,
we’re helping each other, so everybody’s doing well.”
#ENDS 00:02:03:02# More