OA,
I don't disagree with much of what you have to say but I do not hear siren voices from the RN trying to talk out RAF programmes but you have to admit there is alot the other way round. For example, you ca't see why the RN should be flying a/c from the CVF - why not? it is the RN that has the longest history flying from the sea (approaching 100 years);developed aircraft carriers in the first place, developed cats and traps, developed the ski jump etc etc. The FAA history in air combat shapes up pretty well against the RAF, indeed I think since WW2 the FAA has a better record against an enemy. Ops from the sea generally need sea minded people and generally that starts at the recruiting stage.
With regards to JFH my buddies round here tell me that the RN could operate the second sqn under RN operating rules - after all it is a RN sqn not an RAF one. Apparently the only person missing was a JO QFI - a system the RN has never operated.