The Role of Naval Forces in the Global War on TerrorThe Role of Naval Forces in the Global War on Terror The growth of the terrorism threat to the nation's security has created significant strategic challenges for U. S. armed forces in fighting this global war on terrorism (GWOT). For the Navy, the challenges have centered on developing maritime capabilities to prosecute the GWOT as far forward as possible. To assist the Navy's planning in this area, the former Chief of Naval Operations requested the