ABSTRACT
The United States must be able to bring seaborne airpower and an effective amphibious capability to bear in the far reaches of the world. The essence of strategy is not to scatter forces widely but rather to concentrate forces at the times and places needed to win decisive results. To attempt to be strong everywhere will only ensue in United States (US) forces being weak in every quarter and open to defeat in detail. The great majority of the super carrier fleet should be held in US waters. In August and September of 1981, some Sea Harriers and the light carrier Invincible of the Royal Navy operated with the US super carrier Eisenhower from Norfolk, Virginia to Norway and Great Britain to Portugal. Best suited to such operations would be the 40,000 ton short take off carrier proposed by Rear Admiral George Jessen of the US Naval Air Systems Command in 1978.
