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.

Caribbean Urban Warrior 2023

2nd Marine Division

Video by Lance Cpl. Joshua Kumakaw, Lance Cpl. Ethan Miller, Chief Warrant Officer Izzel Sanchez, Lance Cpl. Cassidy Shepherd

April 6, 2023 | 4:32

U.S. Marines from 2d Reconnaissance Battalion, 2d Marine Division, hosted Dutch Marines from the Marine Squadron Caribbean to conduct Exercise Caribbean Urban Warrior 2023 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, from March 6 to April 3, 2023. Caribbean Urban Warrior is an exercise where U.S. Marines from II Marine Expeditionary Force and Dutch Marines from the Marine Squadron Caribbean train together to maintain strong partnership and enhance their warfighting capability. During the exercise, units from II Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Special Operations Command supported with air assets, military working dogs, first aid, breaching, boat operations, small unmanned aerial systems, and Assault Amphibious Vehicles. (U.S. Marine Corps video by: Lance Cpl. Cassidy Shepherd and Chief Warrant Officer 4 Izzel Sanchez) More