The Illusion of Power: Aircraft Carriers and U.S. Military Strategy

"Where are the carriers?" The nation's leaders seem to ask that question whenever a crisis perceived to involve vital U.S. interests develops. According to the conventional wisdom, the aircraft carrier--because of its mobility, its versatility, and the capabilities that it affords the United States, particularly that of projecting air power without relying on overseas bases--is the best military instrument for carrying out national security strategy. Indeed, since 1945--from post-World War II scenarios involving retaliatory nuclear air strikes against the Soviet Union to the capture of the Palestine Liberation Front hijackers of the Achille Lauro--the carrier has been a principal component of U.S. military operations.(1)