U.S. Navy strategy: offensive strike or escort?

Abstract

This paper will show, through historical analogy, that the official Navy position is correct. That is, that large aircraft carriers, capable of destroying the Soviet fleet in home waters, provide the most effective aid to the ground campaign in Europe. Specifically, this paper will use as an example the contributions sea power made to a major land war to show that aggressive strikes against an enemy fleet will bring about more favorable results to the land campaign than would an escort navy. This does not deny, however, that the Navy should also have an escort capability. On the contrary, supplies crossing the ocean during a war must protected to ensure effective materiel support of allied forces in Europe. The question this paper answer is whether the U.S. Navy should focus on destruction of the enemy's fleet, or protection of shipping, as its primary objective. (fr)