Which brings us to the raison d'etre of the thread - in a way
But what if there wasn't? And how do you provide air defence for naval/maritime forces off a hostile coast that is a long way from friendly air bases? Perhaps this is why so many up and coming Navies are so keen to get carriers and organic air defence?
Incidently, the last airshow I went to was at Yeovilton in 2000, during the show a flight of Sea Harriers arrived from a CVS (can't remember which one) in the channel. Doing some routine training at sea, and they arrived back as part of the show.
If you went to an airshow and saw some aircraft that were based there, but had been moved to new display positions by towing would you conclude that towing was a more cost effective method of moving aircaft than flying?
Are we onto ANOTHER page already? Crikey!!