Pacific carrier teams require fast oilers and heavy escorts

Keeping a fast capital ship with each Pacific carrier has consequences beyond gunpower. The paired force needs more fast fleet oilers, while the battlecruiser supplies anti-aircraft fire, absorbs enemy attention, and gives commanders confidence against Japanese Kongos during operations such as the Doolittle Raid. As aviation becomes the striking arm, the carrier commands the task group while the battlecruiser can lead the escort's surface defense. Successful employment in that role could preserve the battlecruiser or large cruiser as a postwar carrier guardian rather than leaving the type with an obsolete reputation.