Why is control of the air important for land and naval forces?

Control of the air is essential to the success of land and naval forces because it grants them freedom of action. By neutralizing an enemy’s air force, a military can secure the environment necessary to conduct operations without the constant threat of aerial interference.1

For land and naval forces, control of the air provides several critical advantages:

• Operational Freedom: It allows surface forces to maneuver, supply, and engage the enemy without being subjected to persistent bombing or reconnaissance.12
• Tactical Support: Air power provides direct assistance to surface operations, including the isolation of the battlefield, the destruction of enemy supply lines, and the provision of air cover for troops and ships.3
• Strategic Security: By preventing the enemy from effectively intercepting missions, air control protects friendly forces from surprise attacks and allows for the concentration of force where it is most needed.1

Ultimately, when an enemy’s air force is neutralized, the degree of control advances to air supremacy, which is considered a decisive factor in achieving victory. Without this control, surface forces remain vulnerable to the enemy's ability to strike from the air, often forcing them to limit their movements to night or bad weather to avoid detection and attack.12