This week, training and preparations have continued with Exercise
Crimson Flag, with RN helicopters testing their ability to counter submarine and surface threats, as well as a 736 NAS Hawk playing the part of a F-35B in countering an air threat, directed by the venerable Sea King ASACS (doing what will soon be the Crowsnest) role:
As for day four:
Wildcat were tasked to defeat small vessels attacking @HMSStAlbans under the control of a Sea King helicopter, who was also controlling a Hawk simulating an F-35. Such sorties will be used to develop Task Group protection tactics.
Task Group protection - the carrier protects the entire task force as part of a defence in depth approach. Some seem to think a carrier only protects herself - WRONG.