"The sea services have a rich history. Maritime superiority in today's environment depends on the proper application of that rich history through established doctrine. Naval doctrine shapes the planning and execution of naval engagements. The naval commander must be well versed in history as well as current capabilities and limitations to best apply doctrine to today's situations. Naval Doctrine Publication 1 (NDP 1) is the foundation for naval doctrine and is nested within Joint Doctrine. It describes the naval services in terms of who we are, what we do, and how se fight. "[NDP 1] reviews the Principles of Joint Operations from the naval perspective and describes how naval forces focus their resources to attain the force commander's objectives."[1]
Although these principles are enduring, they require proper understanding and application to maintain maritime superiority throughout the 21st century. Naval doctrine "is authoritative but requires judgement in application."[2] The principles of joint operations—objective, offensive, mass, maneuver, economy of force, unity of command, security, surprise, simplicity, restraint, perseverance, and legitimacy—are requirements for maritime superiority.[3] Failure to effectively apply these concepts is a recipe for disaster, as shown in the Battle of Savo Island during the Guadalcanal campaign in World War II.
Guadalcanal was conceived following the decisive, yet defensive, Midway Operation in June 1942. American attention soon shifted to the Solomon Islands to maintain open sea lines to U.S. allies in Australia and to secure bases for future operations in an approach to attack and invade Japan. With intelligence that the Japanese were constructing Henderson airfield as an advanced airbase in Guadalcanal, Admiral Ernest J. King ordered Operation Watchtower (the Guadalcanal invasion) to commence.[4] Following a successful amphibious landing on the island on 7 August 1942, the Japanese Imperial Navy sent reinforcements to repel the Americans. The following conflict is a case study in failure. Some principles of joint operations were followed, but many more were ignored. The result was the worst U.S. naval defeat in history at the Battle of Savo Island…"
Main page
link
Amicalement
Armand
goes to sea with the Terrain Mat.
