TOAW IV Okinawa Naval Units

[onesixthsoldier]

I am currently playing the Okinawa scenario as the Americans.  The A.I. controls the Japanese.  I use the Air Staff Assistant to control air units.  The problem is that I am losing ships, oftentimes multiple ships, each turn.  I expect to suffer some losses but not capital ships every turn.  How do I protect my fleet from being decimated or destroyed?