The United States Navy (USN) is the sea branch of the U.S. Armed Forces which is one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy currently has approximately 331,682 personnel on active duty as of 31 December 2008 and 124,000 in the Navy Reserve. It operates 283 ships in active service and more than 3,700 aircraft.

The United States Navy is the largest in the world with a battle fleet tonnage greater than that of the next 13 largest combined. The U.S. Navy also possesses the world’s largest carrier fleet, with 11 in service and one under construction.

The United States Navy serves as a seaborne branch of the Military of the United States. 10 U.S.C. § 5062 prescribes the navy’s three primary areas of responsibility:

• “The preparation of naval forces necessary for the effective prosecution of war”
• “The maintenance of naval aviation, including land-based naval aviation, air transport essential for naval operations and all air weapons and air techniques involved in the operations and activities of the Navy”
• “The development aircraft, weapons, tactics, technique, organization, and equipment of naval combat and service elements”.

U.S. Navy training manuals state the mission of the U.S armed forces is “to prepare and conduct prompt and sustained combat operations in support of the national interest”. As part of that establishment, the U.S. Navy’s functions comprise sea control, power projection and nuclear deterrence, in addition to “sealift” duties.

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