Council of the College of Surgeons

Achieving Maritime Superiority in an Era of Change.

“…The problem facing the Navy as the national security establishment shifts from the Eurocentric focus of the last 45 years to a regional orientation Is that the basic desire of the national leadership to have "maritime superiority," or the ability to control the seas, remains unchanged. The Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Strategy and Resources cites America's need to "...continue our naval predominance..." 1 5 while the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff speaks of the need for Atlantic Command naval forces "...capable of establishing and maintaining sea control...[and] conducting forced entry operations...", the need for a '...presence In the Mediterranean and In the...Persian Gulf..."and of a Pacific Command where "...(forward] presence will be primarily maritime..."16 Such statements Imply that although the national security establishment wants a smaller navy It Is reluctant to modify the deployment requirements accordingly.Including six aircraft carriers, were deployed to the Persian Gulf conflict, the UNITAS South America commitment was met, naval units were Involved In anti-narcotics operations off the coast of the United States, and a major non-combatant evacuation operation was conducted In Liberia. While such performance satisfies the ego, It raises questions of how the Navy will be able to meet such commitments In the future with a smaller force without changing its deployment practices.The issue facing the Navy as it begins this era of change…”