Mike Weeks wrote:

Given the press reports and released photos, yes, it would appear to be
only the two F/A-18 squardons aboard.

Total of some 30-35 planes only reported. Looks like CVW-17 picked up
S-3s also, perhaps VS-22 of CVW-3.

MW


Thank you for that infos. I was offline for several days, and now I can
see it...

30-35 aircraft means that there are only as many of them as the French
Navy's old aircraft carrier Foch used to carry. It also resembles me
the CVW compositions of carriers going East-to-West via Cape Horn.

Combat potential of such a smaller air wing must be significantly
reduced - though they certainly wouldn't suffer from the fuel, weapon,
or hangar area shortages...

Best regards,
Jacek