An Atlantic carrier navy as a diplomatic instrument

A large British Atlantic carrier force could support a joint or alternating British-American strike command in this counterfactual. Regular carrier availability would also accustom governments to using a carrier group as a visible response to crises, making the force politically harder to cut. A heavier British Atlantic role would release American ships for the Pacific and other theatres. The proposed division would put British carriers in position to face the initial Soviet naval strikes, with American reinforcements arriving later. These are projected consequences of the alternate fleet, dependent on sustaining its strength and political support.