I am by no means a defence expert so can someone answer my question. If I have in flight refuelling, a long range type and long range standoff weapons. What does an aircraft carrier give me in a regional conflict that these things don't? What is the tactical advantage of something that I'll have to use a heap of resources to protect that can be achieved by using other means? Or can it?. Again if the answer is an easy one please let me know. I'm not up to speed with the tactical thinking in this regard.