Reeves developed carrier doctrine by delegating real operational responsibility to Ernest J. King. With Reeves based in Saratoga, King commanded Lexington and the ships assigned around her, a role extending beyond the carrier's internal routine. The terminology still shifted between task force and what later doctrine would call a task group, showing the concept in formation. Repeated division and recombination let the Navy test independent carrier movement while retaining higher command. The exercise also links the institutional lineage of Sims, Reeves, and King to the wartime carrier command system.
Notable Point · 1:15:59-1:18:02
Reeves gives King independent carrier task-force command
Reeves divides the carrier force and lets Ernest King command Lexington's group, rehearsing decentralized carrier operations before war.