Why is air superiority strategically important?

Air superiority is strategically important because it allows military forces the freedom to operate effectively without overwhelming interference from enemy forces in the air. When a military achieves air superiority, it can conduct operations such as air strikes, troop movements, and logistics support with significantly reduced risk from hostile aircraft. This control of the airspace enables coordination of ground and naval operations, enhances intelligence-gathering capabilities, and protects friendly forces from enemy attacks.

While controlling air traffic and ensuring civilian safety are important considerations in a conflict, they do not encapsulate the military advantages of having air superiority. The threat of enemy aerial surveillance is also a factor, but it is secondary to the broad operational freedom that air superiority grants. Ultimately, the ability to dominate the air allows a military force to dictate the pace and tempo of engagements, positioning it to achieve its objectives more effectively.