What Role can a Theater Anti-Submarine Warfare Commander Serve in the New Maritime Strategy

摘要

Anti-submarine warfare is a diversified competency. Its conduct requires coordination across air, surface, and sub-surface domains. In a 1000 Ship Navy it requires regional partners as well. Much work is ongoing in technology and tactics. However, the employment of operational art is lacking. Regional Combatant Commands need a persistent ASW function with theater-wide knowledge and responsibility to correct this deficiency. The Chief of Naval Operations call for a New Maritime Strategy presents a real opportunity to effect this change. This paper examines the role a Theater ASW Commander (TASWC) can play to fill the seam between tactics and theater/national strategies. It discusses a past example and a recent experiment that demonstrate the concept. Several recommendations for employment of a TASWC are made.