roball- I was wondering how alert a carrier is during a normal peacetime
cruise
Do they constantly have early warning aircraft aloft?
If something untoward happens how long would it take to be fully battle
ready? BRBR

We stood alert all the time when at sea, normally alert 15 but sometimes alert
5(airborne in that time frame). Ship was always 'ready', cats with steam, etc.
E-2 and other assets also stood alert all the time. If in a fairly benign
envirnment, I'd say about 15-30 minutes.
P. C. Chisholm
CDR, USN(ret.)
Old Phart Phormer Phantom, Turkey, Viper, Scooter and Combat Buckeye Phlyer