Fighters defending a fleet seek to break up attack formations before the aircraft reach their release positions. Maintaining that protection requires aircraft in several stages of readiness. Four can be airborne while four more wait on alert and another group is brought up from the hangar for preparation. Once a patrol has engaged, its aircraft need time to land and rearm before returning to the cycle. This turnaround requirement explains the example of eighteen fighters supporting a continuing patrol of four, with rearming time identified as the immediate constraint.
Notable Point · 56:36-58:10
Why keeping four fighters airborne can require eighteen aircraft
Follow the rearming and readiness cycle behind a four-aircraft combat air patrol and an eighteen-fighter carrier complement.