Royal Navy groups such as Force H and the Force K sent to hunt Graf Spee provide a precedent by pairing a carrier with a fast capital ship. Force K's fast capital ship was Renown. The proposed American arrangement could develop into two carriers accompanied by two large cruisers. A senior officer could command from a carrier while the deputy operates from a large cruiser. The carrier commander would concentrate on aviation and the formation's overall manoeuvre, while the deputy coordinates ships responding to incoming air attacks. Alaska's command facilities are judged better than those of most available alternatives short of a full capital ship.
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A carrier-large-cruiser command pair
Pairing a large cruiser with a carrier could spread combat and command responsibilities across a task group, with the cruiser defending the formation while a carrier commander concentrates on aviation and manoeuvre.