Page 25 - NAVAL SCIENCE 3 TEXTBOOK

u.s. Strategy and the Navy

The mission of the U.S. Nav)1 is to be prepared to conduct prompt The Navy's two basic futlctions are sea control .md power pro-
and sustained combat operations at sea in support of U.S. national jection. These two functions are closely related. Sen col/fro/means
interests. This basically means that maritime superiority for the mastery o\'er the entire surface, subsurface, ,md air and near-Earth
United States mllst be ensured. The U.S. Navy mllst be able to defeat space above designated sea and littoral (shore) areas, or, in other
an)' potential threats to our continued free use of the high seas. In words, over the bnttlespnce within which naval operations are to be
its simplest terms. defeating:1I1 enemy maritime threat means the conducted. It also means preventing the approach of enemy forces
neutralization of hostile spacecmft, aircraft, surface ships, and sub- within range of our forces or territory, and defense against enemy
marines that threaten the seaborne forces of the United States and ballistic and cruise missiles. It does not imply complete control of
its allies. The Navy carries out this mission within the framework aU the world's ocean areas, but only where and when needed. Sea
of Ollr national strategy in coordination with the other U.S. armed control is necessary so the Navy may have secure operating areas
services and in combined planning with our allies. for the projectioll of power, sllch as carrier air strikes, amphibious
assaults, and cruise missile attacks. The ultimate means of power
projection is through fleet ballistic missile submarines, a principal
clement of the nation's strategic ofTensive force.
The U.S. Navy is responsible for three functional roles within the
nationall1lilitary strategy: strategic nuclear deterrence. deployment
of ovcrse;]s forces, and security of the sea lines of cOlllmunication.
Strategic nuclear deterrence. The effectiveness of the subma-
rine-launched ballistic missile, combined with the near invulner-
ability of the ballistic missile submarine, constitutes the strongest
and probably most survivable deterrent in our strategic nuclear
forces. During much of the Cold \Var, this system was generally
regarded as the principal stabilizing factor in the strategic nuclear
balance between the Unitcd States and the Soviet Unioll.
Overseas-deployed forces. The Navy maintains operationally
read)' naval units overseaS as part of other deployed American and
allied forces. Well known in this capacity are the Sixth Fleet in the
i"lediterranean, the Fifth Pleet in the Indian Ocean. and the Seventh
fleet ill the western Pacific. These ships are deployed where they
can support forward-positioned U.S. and allied forces ill peace-
time and engage enemy forces should hostilities break out.
Security of the sea lines of communication. The sllccess of the
forward military strategy depends upon the Nav),-'s ability to keep
the sea lines of communication open. both to sllpport deployed
U.S. and aUied forces. and to ellsure a continued supply of vital
imported raw materials for our industry. The protection of friendly
ships close to enemy shores where they are most vulnerable to
U.S. national security is vital to the well-being of every American. encmy air, surface. and submarine attack places a demanding bur-
Our military forces must be able to defeat aggressors if deterrence
den upon the U.S. Nav)'.
fails. New weapons technology, such as this Standard missi le being
launched from a Navy destroyer, helps defend our national forces
against any potential enemy threat at sea. (Marcos Hernandez)

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