Gaining Rapid Access for the Joint Forces: Are We Ready

You are here: Homepage > Search

Gaining Rapid Access for the Joint Forces: Are We Ready

M. J. Cortese

Sustained access and achieving battlespace superiority in forward theaters is central to the Sea Shield concept, a cornerstone of the Navy's Sea Power 21 vision for the future. This essay addresses an issue which threatens our joint forces ability to rapidly gain access to littoral waters when access is denied by hostile submarines. Since the end of the Cold War, Combatant and Force Commanders have allowed U.S. Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) skills to atrophy. This essay shows that while military leaders have long noted this deficiency, little action has been taken to correct the situation. A combination of fewer ASW assets being available, an increase in competing missions, and a lack of a perceived credible submarine threat have all contributed to Commanders focusing less on ASW force readiness. However, in the past decade, the world- wide submarine threat has become more, not less, challenging. This essay focuses on the extensive time required to properly prepare the undersea battlespace. To provide our Joint Forces rapid access, the Commanders need to be preparing the undersea battlespace and our ASW forces today. This essay concludes with recommendations to ensure our ASW forces are ready to provide rapid access.