and decrease the weaknesses of each naval
component. Each U.S. naval force has the full
capacity in all three warfare areas to carry out the
task of meeting a multidimensional threat similar
to that of U.S. naval forces. U.S. naval forces
also carry out fundamental tasks and supporting
tasks.
The FUNDAMENTAL WARFARE TASKS
are as follows:
ANTIAIR WARFARE (AAW). AAW is
the destruction of enemy aircraft and airborne
weapons, whether launched from air, surface,
subsurface, or land. AAW consists of all the
measures used in achieving air superiority.
ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE (ASW).
ASW is the destruction or neutralization of enemy
submarines. The aim of ASW is to prevent the
effective use of submarines by the enemy.
ANTISURFACE SHIP WARFARE
(ASUW). ASUW is the destruction or
neutralization of enemy surface combatants and
merchant ships. The aim of ASUW is to prevent
the effective use of surface warships and cargo-
carrying vessels by the enemy.
STRIKE WARFARE. Strike warfare is the
use of conventional or nuclear weapons in the
destruction or neutralization of enemy targets
ashore. It includes, but is not limited to, attacks
on an enemy’s strategic nuclear forces and
building yards. It also includes attacks on
operating bases from which an enemy can conduct
air, surface, or subsurface operations against U.S.
or allied forces.
AMPHIBIOUS WARFARE. Amphibious
warfare consists of attacks launched from the sea
by naval forces and by landing forces embarked
in ships or craft. The purpose of these attacks is
to allow forces to land on an enemy shore.
Amphibious warfare includes fire support of
troops in contact with enemy forces using close
air support or shore bombardment.
MINE WARFARE. Mine warfare is the
use of mines and mine countermeasures to control
sea or harbor areas. It involves laying minefield
and countering enemy mine warfare through
the destruction or neutralization of enemy mine-
field.
The SUPPORTING WARFARE TASKS are
as follows:
SPECIAL WARFARE. Special warfare
involves naval operations generally accepted as
being nonconventional in nature and, in many
cases, conducted with secrecy. Special warfare,
which often accomplishes basic warfare tasks,
includes special mobile operations, unconven-
tional warfare, coastal reconnaissance, and certain
technical intelligence operations.
OCEAN SURVEILLANCE. Ocean
surveillance is the observation of ocean areas to
detect, locate, and classify selected air, surface,
and subsurface targets. It also involves providing
the information to users in a timely manner. A
target may be hostile, neutral, or friendly. Ocean
surveillance provides a current operational setting
by which Navy commanders can decide whether
to deploy forces.
INTELLIGENCE. Intelligence is the
assessment and management of information
obtained via surveillance, reconnaissance, and
other means. Intelligence forces use this
information to produce timely warnings and to
indicate the location, identification, intentions,
technical capabilities, and tactics of potential
enemies. Current and complete intelligence,
correctly interpreted, permits military decisions
to be based on accurate knowledge of the enemy’s
forces and capabilities.
THE NAVY COMMAND AND
CONTROL SYSTEMS (NCCS). NCCS provides
the means to exercise the authority and direction
of naval forces in the accomplishment of their
mission. The NCCS coordinates its operations
with the national command, control, and
communications system. NCCS is under the
direction of the national command authority (the
President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Joint
Chiefs of Staff). These systems ensure the
coordination of all warfare efforts. The Army,
Air Force, and naval forces of the United States
and those of our allies could not fulfill their
missions without effective and well-organized
command, control, and communications systems.
ELECTRONIC WARFARE. Electronic
warfare involves electronic support for all warfare
tasks. Electronic warfare ensures the effective use
of the electromagnetic spectrum by friendly forces
while determining, reducing, or preventing its use
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