and  decrease  the  weaknesses  of  each  naval component.  Each  U.S.  naval  force  has  the  full capacity in all three warfare areas to carry out the task  of  meeting  a  multidimensional  threat  similar to that of U.S. naval forces. U.S. naval forces also carry out fundamental tasks and supporting tasks. The  FUNDAMENTAL  WARFARE  TASKS are  as  follows: · ANTIAIR  WARFARE  (AAW).  AAW  is the destruction of enemy aircraft and airborne weapons,  whether  launched  from  air,  surface, subsurface, or land. AAW consists of all the measures  used  in  achieving  air  superiority. · ANTISUBMARINE  WARFARE  (ASW). ASW  is  the  destruction  or  neutralization  of  enemy submarines. The aim of ASW is to prevent the effective use of submarines by the enemy. · ANTISURFACE  SHIP  WARFARE (ASUW).   ASUW   is   the   destruction   or neutralization of enemy surface combatants and merchant ships. The aim of ASUW is to prevent the  effective  use  of  surface  warships  and  cargo- carrying  vessels  by  the  enemy. · STRIKE WARFARE. Strike warfare is the use  of  conventional  or  nuclear  weapons  in  the destruction  or  neutralization  of  enemy  targets ashore. It includes, but is not limited to, attacks on  an  enemy’s  strategic  nuclear  forces  and building  yards.    It  also  includes  attacks  on operating  bases  from  which  an  enemy  can  conduct air,  surface,  or  subsurface  operations  against  U.S. or  allied  forces. · AMPHIBIOUS WARFARE. Amphibious warfare  consists  of  attacks  launched  from  the  sea by  naval  forces  and  by  landing  forces  embarked in ships or craft. The purpose of these attacks is to  allow  forces  to  land  on  an  enemy  shore. Amphibious warfare includes fire support of troops in contact with enemy forces using close air support or shore bombardment. · MINE WARFARE. Mine warfare is the use  of  mines  and  mine  countermeasures  to  control sea or harbor areas. It involves laying minefield and countering enemy mine warfare through the destruction or neutralization of enemy mine- field. The SUPPORTING WARFARE TASKS are as  follows: · SPECIAL WARFARE. Special warfare involves  naval  operations  generally  accepted  as being nonconventional in nature and, in many cases,  conducted  with  secrecy.  Special  warfare, which  often  accomplishes  basic  warfare  tasks, includes  special  mobile  operations,  unconven- tional  warfare,  coastal  reconnaissance,  and  certain technical  intelligence  operations. · OCEAN  SURVEILLANCE.  Ocean surveillance  is  the  observation  of  ocean  areas  to detect,  locate,  and  classify  selected  air,  surface, and  subsurface  targets.  It  also  involves  providing the information to users in a timely manner. A target  may  be  hostile,  neutral,  or  friendly.  Ocean surveillance  provides  a  current  operational  setting by  which  Navy  commanders  can  decide  whether to  deploy  forces. · INTELLIGENCE. Intelligence is the assessment and management of information obtained  via  surveillance,  reconnaissance,  and other   means.   Intelligence   forces   use   this information to produce timely warnings and to indicate  the  location,  identification,  intentions, technical  capabilities,  and  tactics  of  potential enemies.    Current and complete intelligence, correctly  interpreted,  permits  military  decisions to  be  based  on  accurate  knowledge  of  the  enemy’s forces  and  capabilities. · THE     NAVY     COMMAND     AND CONTROL SYSTEMS (NCCS). NCCS provides the  means  to  exercise  the  authority  and  direction of  naval  forces  in  the  accomplishment  of  their mission.  The  NCCS  coordinates  its  operations with   the   national   command,   control,   and communications system. NCCS is under the direction of the national command authority (the President,  the  Secretary  of  Defense,  and  the  Joint Chiefs  of  Staff).  These  systems  ensure  the coordination  of  all  warfare  efforts.  The  Army, Air  Force,  and  naval  forces  of  the  United  States and those of our allies could not fulfill their missions  without  effective  and  well-organized command,  control,  and  communications  systems. · ELECTRONIC WARFARE. Electronic warfare  involves  electronic  support  for  all  warfare tasks.  Electronic  warfare  ensures  the  effective  use of  the  electromagnetic  spectrum  by  friendly  forces while  determining,  reducing,  or  preventing  its  use 1-11