Hmm...digression. Could it be that the thread digresses because the arguments have all become tired and pointless? I regret the loss of the SHAR as keenly as any in the light blue (3 years in JFH showed me what great blokes and excellent pilots the RN contributed to the force) but banging on and on about how exposed the Carrier/Amphib/GR9 packages will be will change nothing.
Yes, it's a loss.
Yes, it's stupid.
No, you won't be able to change it. Celebrate the capabilities and victories of the SHAR - look forward to CVF and F-35.
SBG