Our conflict with Iraq is an example of how
hostilities sometimes occur in spite of attempts to
settle international disputes by other means. As
shown by this conflict, our carrier striking force
takes prompt and decisive action to meet national
objectives.
Mobility is one of the striking forces’ greater
assets. It increases the prospect for surprise
attacks from any point bordering enemy land
areas surrounded by navigable waters. Striking
forces provide a wide range of weapons systems for
close or long-range distances. Task forces
organized primarily for striking force operations
are carrier, surface, and submarine strike forces.
These forces operate independently or together as
needed.
AIRCRAFT CARRIER BATTLE
GROUP
The aircraft carrier battle group (fig. 1-1) is a
vital part of the Navy’s overall ability to counter
aggression successfully and to protect vital sea-
lanes. Geographically, economically, politically,
and culturally, the United States is overseas
oriented.
Because the United States is essentially an
island nation, it must have the ability to influence
international affairs favorably. During conflict,
the United States must be able to engage and
defeat any enemy far from American shores. At
the same time, it must protect the vital lines of
communications.
The United States frequently deploys naval
forces to areas near hostile bases and operating
areas far from continental U.S. bases. These
deployments place demanding requirements upon
the capabilities of U.S. naval forces. These forces
must be able to counter air, surface, and
submarine threats simultaneously when the
enemy selects more than one method of attack.
The aircraft carrier serves as the key member
of a powerful and mobile naval task force. It uses
antisubmarine aircraft, attack and fighter aircraft,
and surface and subsurface escorts. These air,
surface, and subsurface escorts provide the
greatest naval power that can be assembled to
counter all types of threats at sea.
The carrier battle group has the mobility to
operate where it can be most effective against any
forces threatening the United States’ free use of
the seas. It also has the sensors and weapons
needed to defeat these threats. The carrier is a
completely outfitted and equipped mobile air
operating base for projecting power ashore. This
function
requires
close
air
support
and
interdiction aircraft. (Interdiction is an attack on
supply lines. It is an attempt to destroy railroads,
bridges, electric power plants, and so forth, to
cripple the support of enemy front lines with
minimum effort.) These aircraft are able to defeat
all modern aircraft; penetrate missile-defended
targets; and conduct precision day, night, and all-
weather bombing. They perform the demanding
tasks of reconnaissance and surveillance.
The United States must maintain a convincing
peacetime presence in trouble spots of the world
Figure 1-1.—USS America carrier task group.
1-5
