Since the onset of World War II, air power has routinely played a crucial role in maritime operations, providing surveillance, reconnaissance, strike, interdiction, protection, and logistical support. The speed, range, and flexibility of aircraft have proved pivotal in every conflict since, so much so that naval strategy dictates that the first requirement in establishing sea control is the attainment of air superiority. However, unlike the past several decades, the access and freedom of action the United States enjoys is becoming more contentious, as dispersion of advanced capabilities find their way to more and more state and nonstate actors. With the development of accurate, long-range, advanced anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) weapons, designed to deny freedom of movement and maneuver, U.S. military supremacy in certain parts of the world is being challenged. The asymmetric threat of A2/AD weapons poses a significant risk to U.S. forward deployed forces whose focus is the defeat of naval adversaries and ship-to-shore power projection. Air Force capabilities afford 'rapid, maneuverable, and flexible element's in this environment,' significantly contributing to maritime domain control by extending the reach and flexibility of naval forces. The rapidly evolving and ever-increasing challenges surrounding the world's most contested maritime environments will require extensive use of Air Force air power to provide joint and coalition forces with the operational intelligence, logistics, protection, and fires required to gain and maintain sea control in a contested littoral environment. To highlight air power's contributions to sea control, elements of Air Force Countersea Operations are discussed as they relate to the operational factors and functions in emerging A2/AD maritime environments. The paper recommends areas for further research and development toward rectifying deficiencies in naval and joint capabilities and training.


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