This may the the case in a war but you have to recognize the other missions of the Navy, force projection and ensuring "freedom"(this is the stated mission but

This may the the case in a war but you have to recognize the other missions of the Navy, force projection and ensuring "freedom"(this is the stated mission but the navy stops ships to search them all the time) of the seas. You can't do force projection with a submarine or satellite. This part of the Navy's mission hasn't changed much since the Great White Fleet. Surface ships will be a part of the Navy until Shields hover carriers come online. Also the Navy does do quite a bit of good with their carrier fleet as it makes a great base to run humanitarian mission during times when other infrastructure is down.