Out near Guam, America’s newest battle strategy is starting to take shape.
Navy EA-18G Growler electronic warfare jets are operating with Air Force aircraft as both services develop the so-called Air-Sea Battle concept, which will guide efforts to prepare air and naval forces for a new era of potential combat — particularly in the western Pacific.
The controversial strategy seeks to increase cooperation between the two services to protect allies and partner nations as well as ensure freedom of access to key areas of international air, sea, space and cyberspace, according to senior leaders of both services.
“We will learn how to integrate naval forces into airfield defense, and we will train our Air Force aircrews to defend ships at sea,” former Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert said in a co-authored 2012 paper.
The battle concept is particularly aimed at what the military calls “anti-access” and “area-denial.” The Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments called Air-Sea Battle means to prevent China from forcing the U.S. military out of an area of the Pacific that extends to Guam and New Guinea.
Military officials have said that Air-Sea Battle is not designed for specific areas of the world/.../
Air-Sea Battle seeks to overcome challenges posed to area access from ballistic and cruise missiles, submarines, fighter aircraft, electronic warfare and mines.
The Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments said western Pacific geography, with its vast distances, places a premium on range and endurance and requires an integrated air and maritime approach.