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dgaad -> The Use of Sea Power in History and its application to Uncommon Valor (5/20/2002 7:43:52 AM)
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1. Airpower plays a predominate role. Surface engagements will almost never be decisive. Battles on land and between guns are only useful to the extent they influence the possession of bases from which airpower can be used.
2. A concentrated carrier air fleet will prevail over one dispersed and unsupported.
3. Carrier air engagements that risk the loss of carriers should only be attempted outside the range of enemy land based air. If it is necessary to engage enemy carriers withing the range of enemy land based air, make all attempts to reduce its effectiveness prior to the engagement by using other land based air assets, surface forces in a bombardment and suppression role, or as a last resort land forces.
4. If the enemy has a greater number of strike aircraft, whether land or carrier or the sum of these, it is more important to use your fighter resources to protect your carriers. It is far better to lose bomber airgroups to enemy fighters than to lose a carrier to enemy bombers.
5. The goal of all operations should be to establish air superiority in the theater. Enemy carrier groups are the most significant threat, since they represent offensive power. Eliminate or neutralize the enemy's offensive power, and victory will eventually follow. It therefore follows that the first goal of operations should be the destruction or neutralization of enemy carrier groups. Neutralization can occur if the enemy's carrier based airgroups suffer irreplaceable casualties.
6. Tactical goals should be ordered as follows :
a) destruction of enemy carrier groups
b) neutralization of enemy carrier air groups
c) destruction or neutralization of enemy land bases or land based air groups.
d) the prevention or obliteration of enemy attempts to construct new airbases.
e) the elimination or neutralization of any surface force capable of damaging significant friendly land bases.
f) the development, reinforcement and protection of significant friendly land bases.
Note that 5 of the 6 tactical goals are offensive in nature. Sea power in the air age is offensive, not defensive. Victory is only achieved by offensive action.
7. The enemy should not be relied on to violate any of the above principles.
8. The enemy should be, and can be, destroyed if he violates any of the above principles.
9. Superior force can be overcome by stealth, surprise, attrition, and unexpected offensive action. If faced with superior numbers of enemy carriers, observe enemy behavior and look for opportunities when you may engage within range of friendly air, out of range of enemy air, and come upon the enemy without notice or after they have expended resources in neutralizing their target.
10. As with offensive actions in all forms of warfare, strike with concentrated forces of all types, have a specific tactical goal. have a method or means of execution, and be flexible enough to depart from a battle plan without causing dispersal of effort or loss of a cohesive tactical goal.
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