b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Q4. In today’s world, what aspects of naval strength
exist that didn’t exist in the 19th century.
Q5. As this century closes, no nation is totally
independent. To protect ourselves and to keep
our economy going, this country must take the
following actions:
a.
b.
THE U.S. NAVY’S RESPONSIBILITY IN
SEA POWER
Learning Objectives: When you finish this chapter, you
will be able to—
Identify the missions and functions of the U.S.
Navy in wartime and peacetime.
Identify the functions of the U.S. Navy to include
strategic nuclear deterrence and security of
sea-lanes communications.
At this point in your Navy career, if you haven’t
done so already, you may soon find yourself asking
several questions. Why are we spread out far and wide
from our shores? Why do we have a Navy? What is the
purpose of this deployment? If you look at the goals of
our nation, you will see what our mission is. First, you
should understand why we need a strong Navy to
support our national objectives. Some of these reasons
are as follows:
Two of our states are outside the continental
United States (Hawaii and Alaska).
Four U.S. territories lie overseas (Puerto Rico,
the Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern
Marianas).
Two of our allies (Canada and Mexico) border
the United States; the rest of our allies, some 42
of them, are overseas.
NATO countries and Japan, our principal allies,
are highly dependent on U.S. support and
imports, the bulk of which comes to them by sea.
Ninety-nine percent of all U.S. overseas trade is
transported by sea lines of communications
(world trade routes).
The U.S. industrial output depends on continued
s h i p m e n t s
o f
r a w
m a t e r i a l s
a n d
energy-producing resources from overseas.
Our ability to control the seas is essential in the
deterrence of a general war and aggression
against any nation or area vital to our interest.
Now, let’s look at the primary functions of the Navy.
The Navy and the Marine Corps organize, train, and
equip Navy and Marine Corps forces to conduct prompt
and sustained combat operations at sea. These
operations involve sea-based aircraft and land-based
naval air components. These forces have five primary
tasks:
1. They must seek and destroy enemy naval forces
2. Suppress enemy sea commerce gain
3. Maintain general naval supremacy
4. Control vital sea areas
5. Protect vital sea lines of communications
The Navy’s business is to clear the way for the
operating forces to accomplish their task, whatever it is.
The Navy must drive the enemy’s fighting forces off the
high seas, out of the air, and across the seas. The Navy
20-4
Student Notes:
