ncidentally, the RN pilots currently flying Hornets in the states are not really on 'exchange' per se, are they? Instead they are filling slots that the MoD pays the USN extremely handsomely for. While it made an awful lot of sense to build up a seedcorn of cat and trap experience when the UK was lined up to buy the C model, is this massive expense another one that can be culled (maybe not completely) to deliver further savings to the cash-strapped MoD?
The RN are paying only for the training of these pilots (and the living costs as per an exchange Officer) so the figures involved are not as astronomical as you indicate. Plus, its not just about the landing and taking off part of the carrier they are learning. It is whole maritime operations that they are being immersed in, experience which will be invaluable to the UK with F35.
How many Harrier Sqns had a night CVS capability for example? None
I seem to recall that our pilots on 3(F) Sqns were day and night CR
There is a difference between being night CR and being night boat qualified. That said, it untrue to say that no Harrier Sqns had a night CVS capability. The Harrier force, even at the end, had a cadre of night CVS qualified pilots.