Sir Percy my comments regarding ship numbers related to the way the RN has been cut since the SDR. with possibly more cuts coming.
As Bismark says, shipborne aviation (rotary wing instead of fixed wing, but so what?) was key to the assault on Al Faw. There was a counter attack by Iraq armour and 3 Commando Brigade, lacking armour, was unable to deal with this and retreat was an option being considered. However, Sea King ASaCs aircraft of 849 NAS were able to detect the Iraqi armour, and guide in TOW armed Lynxes of 847 NAS. A number of tanks and other vehicles were destroyed, and the counter attack was stopped.
Operation El Dorado Canyon, the April 1986 US air strikes against Libya, is an interesting case. Continental air bases could not be used for political reasons, so 18 USAF F111 aircraft flew from bases in the UK. France refused use of their airspace, as did Spain, so about 1300 miles was added to the flight there (and back), with multiple mid air refuelling.
A6, A7 and F/A18 aircraft operated from the carriers America, Sarotoga and Coral Sea which were all in the area. Additionally F14s provided CAP cover (remember the Libyans had fighters), and E2 and EA6B aircraft also took part. Without the carriers there would have been no specialist electronic attack, no fighter cover, and less bomb carrying aircraft.
I think the carriers were also key in the encounters with Libyan forces in the Gulf of Sidra.
Now, putting that aside for a moment, can anyone who knows about the mechanics of carrier operations comment on Captain Brown's observations regarding CVA 01?