My point is/was this. HMG thought they were needed and were sent. In the end they did a useful job in showing coalition resolve, not to mention good training. Sending even a small carrier has a political impact as well. Uncle Sam is aware that large airbases cannot move and make easy targets for IRBMs, which they were. That's why the carrier is the weapon of choice in these situations. In the case of HMG it is a joint asset. A power projection tool for all services. If you don't like the navy having it, maybe we should give it to the army?
