A sustained combat air patrol keeps part of the fighter force airborne and another part ready on deck. Aircraft therefore rotate through the hangar instead of all requiring indoor space at once. That operating pattern is used to explain how a group around 24 aircraft could be worked differently from the normal peacetime complement. Mixed groups with Harriers and surveillance or support helicopters further complicate a single headline aircraft count.
Notable Point · 4:17:00-4:18:38
Continuous air patrol changes a carrier's space requirements
Airborne patrols and deck readiness help explain why a wartime aircraft group can exceed the normal peacetime complement.