The Linebacker Operation and the Sea-Power Factor
Since the end of World War II, the United States Navy has dominated the seas. This power has been built on the strength of its aircraft carriers and high-tech warships . The escalation of the Vietnam War in 1972 prompted President Richard Nixon to launch Operation Linebacker II in response to North Vietnamese aggression. The operation was designed to intimidate the North Vietnamese into resuming peace talks. The sea is critical to the global security of the United States. It allows military forces to project power into areas of international tension, assist friends and allies, and maintain international peace and stability. However, the sea allows adversaries to exploit insufficient control of its waters and choke points. The South China Sea, for example, is home to numerous Chinese and other Asian islands being built to advance territorial claims. This has made maritime operations for US Navy commanders and sailors complex and challenging, influencing the Department of Defense's a