The United States maintains a considerable capability to attack ground targets with conventional weapons anywhere in the world. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps tactical aircraft deployed to forward locations can be used for ground attack, or "strike" missions, in the region where their bases or aircraft carriers are located, and a similar regional capability is offered by Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from submarines or surface ships. If air bases or aircraft carriers are not available in the region, long-range strike capability can be provided by the Air Force's smaller fleet of...