What does the term "amphibious operations" refer to?

The term "amphibious operations" specifically refers to military operations that are launched from the sea, involving the coordination of naval and land forces. This type of operation is characterized by the ability to conduct combat missions in environments that transition between sea and land. Amphibious operations typically include the deployment of troops, equipment, and vehicles from ships onto a hostile or potentially hostile shore, highlighting a strategic element in military engagements where forces must seize and hold territory that can be accessed via both the ocean and land routes.

In contrast, military operations conducted purely on land, operations that involve only air combat, and underwater combat training exercises each focus on different environments or forms of warfare, lacking the essential combined maritime and terrestrial aspect that defines amphibious operations.