Halsey supported offensive carrier operations against claims that shore-based air power made them impractical. The American alpha strike sought to locate the enemy first, attack with the greatest available force, and disable opposing carriers before they could respond. Other ships would then become the next targets. Multiple carrier air groups could combine into a large daylight formation to overwhelm the defense. The method depended on the attack working as planned, but successful concentration could deliver a crushing first blow.
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Halsey and the American massed daylight strike
American doctrine sought to find enemy carriers first and overwhelm them with concentrated air groups before they could strike back.