The Pacific exposed carriers to direct carrier-versus-carrier combat, a mission for which Ranger lacked the strength and survivability of newer ships. Off Norway, she could instead launch limited strikes and withdraw under conditions closer to those faced by older British carriers such as Furious. That made the theatre safer for the ship without making it risk-free. An older carrier's value depends heavily on the opponent, mission and expected intensity of combat.
Notable Point · 19:05-19:36
Why USS Ranger was useful off Norway
USS Ranger's Norwegian deployment illustrates how a carrier too vulnerable for Pacific carrier battles could still conduct useful hit-and-run operations.