Sea Control

To obtain, maintain, and exploit sea control, a navy must have the freedom to use the sea for its purposes while denying or limiting its use to the enemy. This means being capable of both offensive and defensive actions, such as being able to destroy or neutralize enemy naval forces, blockade operations, control sea lines of communication, and hold chokepoints??. Sea denial follows along these same lines in terms of preventing the adversary from using the sea, but it does not necessarily mean that one has free use of the sea for its own purposes at the same time. It simply means that no other power has the ability to take control of it or use it if it wants without paying a steep price (Introduction to Naval Warfare, n.d.).

Maintaining sea control requires strong capabilities in surface, subsurface, and aerial domains, integrated operations with other military branches, and the ability to update and modernize both naval assets and naval tactics. Technology is constantly advancing and must be incorporated, so that unmanned systems, advanced missiles, improved sensors and so on can all be used to improve a navys ability to conduct maritime operations for tactical advantage??. Logistics and personnel services must be used to sustain and prolong operational effectiveness (Advantage at Sea, n.d.).

Other military services will have an influence on the navys ability to achieve and maintain sea control or denial. For example, joint operations involving the Air Force, Army, and allied naval forces will determine the overall effectiveness of maritime campaigns. Air Force assets can provide needed air cover and conduct strikes against enemy ships and coastal targets, and Army units can secure key littoral areas and support amphibious operations????.

Overall, achieving and maintaining sea control and denial requires more than just naval power; it requires integrated joint operations, and continuous upgrading and use of technological and strategic advancements. The degree of collaboration across military services will determine the degree of success????.

References

Advantage at Sea: Prevailing with Integrated All-Domain Naval Power. (n.d.). PDF.

Introduction to Naval Warfare. (n.d.). PDF.