The Impact of Naval Mining on Operational Maneuver and Planning.
Abstract
Despite the fact that U.S. Armed Forces have repeatedly seen and felt the impact of naval mining during this century, naval mine countermeasures capabilities have yet to be fully evaluated and accurately addressed in today's operational planning. Naval mine warfare, one of the least expensive and easiest to deploy methods of warfare, has the ability to prevent or delay opponents from achieving the critical operational functions of maneuver and mobility. This being the case, it is imperative that the operational commander recognize and adequately plan for a naval mining threat within a theater of operations. Operational plans for maneuver within the maritime environment must include all of the complex mine warfare variables in development of realistic timelines for maneuver and operational progression. An accurate mine clearance timeline is critical to the commander's assessment of an operational plan's feasibility. If the primary sea line of communication is unavailable within operational deadlines, alternative plans must be developed. Alternative options available to the operational commander are secondary sea lines of communication or a combination of sea lines of communication and extensive air/land lines of communication. These alternatives must be fully addressed and played in exercises which test operational plans and serve to familiarize all concerned with the dramatic impact of naval mining on operational maneuver and the mobility of forces.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 03, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA312219
Entities
People
- Richard L. Page
Organizations
- Naval War College