Blockade

Though traditionally thought of in naval terms, military blockade can take many forms. During World War II, for example, the U. S. Fifth Air Force effectively established an air blockade on New Guinea, routinely denying Jap­anese relief and supply forces from reaching the island. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense recognized this when it issued its Quadrennial Defense Review in 2009, noting:30

The PLA may use its Second Artillery, navy, and air force to conduct blockades against Taiwan’s ports, offshore islands, and routes connect­ing to outside world, and blockade or seize Taiwan’s offshore or remote islands, in order to shatter the will and morale of the populace, cripple the economic lifeline, depress the internal and external environment and force a peace negotiation on their terms.

In the event of a PRC blockade of Taiwan, it could be expected that the PLAs airpower forces will be employed to: establish and enforce a “no-fly zone” (NFZ); seize and maintain air dominance over the battlespace; establish defen­sive air caps and protect PLA forces from Taiwan air and missile strikes; prosecute electronic warfare and cyber warfare against Taiwan’s forces; support the PLAN’s sea blockade of Taiwan; support PLA littoral actions such as seizing the islands of Kinmen and Matsu; and, finally, conduct antiaccess operations against Taiwan’s forces and their potential allies or coalition partners.31 PLA airpower forces would prosecute these missions by attacking Taiwan’s airfields, air bases, and important installations; seizing air dominance via air-to-air combat; conducting aerial min­ing operations; providing routine combat air patrols and air reconnaissance over the battlespace; and conducting air defense operations in coastal areas.32