Would the fleet keep a combat air patrol overhead?

If the fleet were at sea but still formally at peace, would it have combat air patrol overhead?

Yes. High-tension operations normally call for airborne CAP, with Lexington present and Enterprise expected to join.

The sortie is a diplomatic demonstration rather than a planned battle, but the international situation still demands airborne cover. Combat air patrol was standard practice once a fleet operated amid heightened tension, even before formal hostilities began. Lexington would likely sail with the battle line and Enterprise would join it, providing aircraft for scouting and defense. Maintaining CAP consumes part of their limited air strength, but leaving the fleet uncovered would ignore the risk that gives the demonstration its political weight.