What are "Maritime Operational Zones?" For the purposes of this manual, "maritime operational zones" are defined as designated ocean areas and superjacent air space in which a nation purports to restrict the freedom of navigation and/or overflight of other users or otherwise impact the exercise of those freedoms. We recognize that the definition is somewhat ambiguous; but that is the nature of zones in maritime operations. The U.S. and other nations have long used various forms of "zones" in maritime operations. Labels for these zones have included warning area, cordon sanitaire, maritime defense zone, warning zone, security zone, exclusion zone, blockade, and others. The purpose of these zones usually has been to warn other users of the sea of dangers, to limit the area of combat operations, to deny adversaries use of water and air space, and/or to avoid targeting platforms that do not present an actual threat. Current manuals include provisions on zones, but the manuals take different approaches and are not consistent. The highly respected San Remo Manual on International Law Applicable to Armed Conflicts at Sea (written by independent experts) provides parameters for zones since the majority of the participants viewed zones as a "reality." NWP 1-14M, The Commander's Handbook on the Law of Naval Operations is now under revision. The Handbook is the primary unclassified source of U.S. DoD doctrine regarding the law of maritime operations. Zone provisions are limited; but they are clear and have served as useful planning guidance.