naval campaign

An operation or a connected series of operations conducted essentially by naval forces, including all surface, subsurface, air, and amphibious troops, for the purpose of gaining, extending, or maintaining control of the sea.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

naval campaign - an operation conducted primarily by naval forces in order to gain or extend or maintain control of the sea military operation, operation - activity by a military or naval force (as a maneuver or campaign); "it was a joint operation of the navy and air force"