b.c.d.e.f.Q4. In today’s world, what aspects of naval strengthexist that didn’t exist in the 19th century.Q5. As this century closes, no nation is totallyindependent. To protect ourselves and to keepour economy going, this country must take thefollowing actions:a.b.THE U.S. NAVY’S RESPONSIBILITY INSEA POWERLearning Objectives: When you finish this chapter, youwill 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 includestrategic nuclear deterrence and security ofsea-lanes communications.At this point in your Navy career, if you haven’tdone so already, you may soon find yourself askingseveral questions. Why are we spread out far and widefrom our shores? Why do we have a Navy? What is thepurpose of this deployment? If you look at the goals ofour nation, you will see what our mission is. First, youshould understand why we need a strong Navy tosupport our national objectives. Some of these reasonsare as follows:Two of our states are outside the continentalUnited States (Hawaii and Alaska).Four U.S. territories lie overseas (Puerto Rico,the Virgin Islands, Guam, and the NorthernMarianas).Two of our allies (Canada and Mexico) borderthe United States; the rest of our allies, some 42of them, are overseas.NATO countries and Japan, our principal allies,are highly dependent on U.S. support andimports, the bulk of which comes to them by sea.Ninety-nine percent of all U.S. overseas trade istransported by sea lines of communications(world trade routes).The U.S. industrial output depends on continueds h i p m e n t s o f r a w m a t e r i a l s a n denergy-producing resources from overseas.Our ability to control the seas is essential in thedeterrence of a general war and aggressionagainst 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, andequip Navy and Marine Corps forces to conduct promptand sustained combat operations at sea. Theseoperations involve sea-based aircraft and land-basednaval air components. These forces have five primarytasks:1. They must seek and destroy enemy naval forces2. Suppress enemy sea commerce gain3. Maintain general naval supremacy4. Control vital sea areas5. Protect vital sea lines of communicationsThe Navy’s business is to clear the way for theoperating forces to accomplish their task, whatever it is.The Navy must drive the enemy’s fighting forces off thehigh seas, out of the air, and across the seas. The Navy20-4Student Notes:
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