What core mission is crucial for control of the air domain during warfare?

The core mission that is crucial for control of the air domain during warfare is air superiority. Achieving air superiority means gaining and maintaining control of the airspace over a specific area, which is essential for both offensive and defensive operations. This control allows friendly forces to conduct operations without the interference of enemy aircraft, thus ensuring the safety of ground forces and the success of operations involving air power.

When forces achieve air superiority, they can exploit the advantages of air power, including the ability to conduct air strikes, provide close air support for ground troops, and protect strategic assets. It also enables the effective execution of other missions like global strike, command and control, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. Without air superiority, these other operations become significantly riskier and may encounter substantial challenges from enemy air forces. Therefore, air superiority serves as the foundation for overall operational success in warfare, making it a critical element in achieving control of the air domain.