This thesis determines whether there is an operational requirement to maintain a forward-based aircraft carrier in the Asia-Pacific region. Written as a strategic paper, it presents broad operational requirements in a changing world, by examining interdependence and future international order in the wake of the Cold War. The discussion then narrows to formulate the strategic framework of the Asia-Pacific region by presenting historic influences, regional defense capabilities, and current issues affecting future U.S. naval requirements in Northeast and Southeast Asia. Key issues of the framework relate to the U.S.-Japanese Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security, the security of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Philippine base talks, and the overarching influence of U.S. naval contingencies in Southwest Asia. The study also examines other issues as they affect U.S. naval contingencies in Southwest region. The conclusions form the basis for the subjective analysis. The criteria for determining operational requirements in the strategic sense derive from carrier missions as they apply across the spectrum of conflict, namely; peacetime presence, conflict response, and power projection. The study presents the current U.S. peacetime and wartime regional objectives and discusses U.S. Maritime Strategy in a changing world including the aircraft carrier's strategic role in the Asia-Pacific region. The analysis brings together the conclusions presented in the study to formulate recommendations and caveats. This will answer the strategic question posed. The bottom line is that the U.S. should maintain a forward-based aircraft carrier in the Asia-Pacific region, referencing appropriate caveats mentioned in this analysis.

ADA 240082 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)