The area defense strategy focuses primarily on what objective?

The area defense strategy is centered around the objective of denying the enemy access to specific terrain. This approach involves establishing defensive positions to control key geographic areas, thereby limiting the enemy's ability to maneuver and operate in those spaces. The strategy aims to create a robust defensive posture that protects vital assets and terrain that are essential for friendly forces while simultaneously hindering the enemy's operational capabilities.

By focusing on terrain denial, the area defense strategy allows for the preservation of a unit's resources and forces, enabling them to engage effectively when the enemy attempts to breach these defensive barriers. This can include utilizing natural terrain features and built defenses to establish an advantageous position against potential attacks.

Options that involve the complete destruction of enemy forces, defeating the enemy's air force, or establishing forward operating bases do not encapsulate the defensive nature of area defense. Instead, those options point towards more aggressive or different operational goals that don't align with the primary aim of denying access to specific terrain, which is central to the area defense strategy.