21.  China is rushing to modernize its outdated air and naval forces, which now have little capacity to fight a prolonged battle far from shore.

22.  Completing a new agreement on closer coordination between U.S. and Chinese naval forces in the Western Pacific could reinforce this point.

23.  First to be notified was Adm. Tom Hart, commander of U.S. naval forces in the Philippines.

24.  For the third day, U.S. air and naval forces attacked Iraqi military targets.

25.  For years the two countries have sparred about territorial integrity and the fate of naval forces.

26.  He also cited the authority of retired Adm. Elmo Zumwalt, who commanded U.S. naval forces and served as chief of naval operations during the Vietnam conflict.

27.  He was commander in chief of U.S. naval forces in Europe.

28.  In a sign that U.S. military operations are leveling off, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff recommended reducing the naval forces committed to the war.

29.  In just four months of battle, the United States had defeated the once-mighty Spain and badly crippled Spanish naval forces in the Atlantic and Pacific.

30.  In the event of a crisis, it might help to have U.S. naval forces available for a quick action in the Mediterranean.