The alternate carrier never operates in the Black Sea. It works up in the Baltic, then divides its post-rebuild service between the Northern and Pacific Fleets. Those waters offer more room for flight operations and exercises. Basing geography therefore determines how quickly the Red Fleet accumulates carrier experience.
Notable Point · 31:35-32:03
Training geography keeps Graf Zepplinski out of the Black Sea
The carrier works up in the Baltic and later divides its time between the Northern and Pacific Fleets, where it can generate more flight experience.