1998 Year of the Ocean The Oceans and National Security 



components of the National Military Strategy: peacetime engagement, deterrence and conflict 

 prevention, and controlling crises.'"^ This role is rooted in the fundamental ability of the Navy- 

 Marine Corps-Coast Guard Team to maneuver independently of the control of other nations and 

 win. This is done through an ability to operate in international waters with forward deployed 

 forces in the highest possible state of readiness. 



Modem military systems allow the United States to hold potential adversaries at risk at 

 ever greater distances. As technologies shrink the globe, the United States is effectively closer to 

 potential enemies who also have long-distance military capabilities. To counter these 

 capabilities, U.S. forces must be prepared to use the oceans to meet potential adversaries on their 

 home ground or on waters far from U.S. coasts. In this very important way, the oceans can buffer 

 North America from conflict overseas. 



Key to the ability to provide trained, ready forces anywhere in the world at any time to 

 meet our national security objectives is freedom of navigation. U.S. public vessels provide a 

 forward U.S. presence to protect our own and allied interests. Freedom of the seas also ensures 

 that commercial and military cargoes can move freely by sea. The U.S. has a special interest in 

 maintaining secure, stable lines of communication at sea throughout the world. As the 2 1 st 

 century approaches, the United States can look back at fifty years of relative peace on the high 

 seas. Maintaining this combination of security and navigational freedom of the seas is a 

 fundamental condition for global peace, security, and prosperity. 



Overflight Freedom 



Freedom of navigation applies not just to the oceans but to the airways above, and 

 ensures that aircraft are free to move passengers and cargo over the oceans to their destinations. 

 Freedom of overflight, like freedom of navigation, permits military forces to respond in times of 

 crisis and is essential to free trade. No one can legally deny anyone the right to fly over the 

 oceans in international airspace, and no landing rights are required for military flight operations 

 at sea. The fact that aircraft operating independenfly or in conjunction with warships may operate 

 up to 12 nautical miles from any littoral (coastal) state eases access ashore. 



Both maritime and airborne freedom of navigation require assured safe passage, free from 

 the threat of harm. Both require provisions for safety, rescue, and navigational assistance. 

 Freedom of overflight above the oceans is as important as the freedom of maritime navigation, in 

 both commercial and military terms. 



Power Projection 



The oceans provide access to littoral states. Military presence on the high seas provides 

 the United States with the capability to project power to areas of international tensions, to help 

 friends and allies, and to preserve international peace and stability. A range of options is thereby 



^Department of the Navy, Forward from ike Sea. p. 1 . (1 997). 



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