Halting the Advance. The Synergistic Effects of Heavy Bombers and Carrier Air.
Abstract
One of the major challenges facing the United States military in the post-Cold War world is how to halt an armored invasion in a country half-way around the globe. The continuing U.S. shift to a home-based 'rapid response' strategy will give aggressor nations an advantage in regions that depend on American military strength for defense. If aggressor nations strike quickly enough, their armored forces can seize strategic ports and airfields and deny U.S. and coalition forces lodgment. By the turn of the century, however, the theater commander (CINC) will be able to quickly halt a major armored invasion in a region with little or no U.S. forces present through the use of CONUS based heavy bombers and a carrier battle group (CVBG). Quick and deadly, CONUS based bombers provide CINCs the timely, flexible, and long-range firepower required to halt an armored invasion. Bombers, however, require in-theater command and control and defense from enemy threat systems for a coordinated attack and to reduce the risk of being targeted and destroyed. The CVBG, the other half of the equation, provides these capabilities. Also timely if deployed on warning, the CVBG is a self-contained strike force whose operational capabilities of command, control, and surveillance, battlespace dominance, and power projection allow the carrier to effectively direct and protect the bombers. The CINC's use of Navy CVBG assets and Air Force bombers together provides a synergistic effect-- neither force capable of accomplishing the objective alone, yet together achieving the CINC's goal of halting the advance quickly, effectively, and with minimum risk to the joint force.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 16, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA307439
Entities
People
- Michael E. Mcgauvran
Organizations
- Naval War College