The kind of targets that have other service branches that can hit back at foes at sea.
The carriers can stand off at additional range from the target, that's the idea.
Yes but you have got to find the Carrier in the first instance...it is not a fixed GPS coordinate like an airfield, viewable on Google Earth. I am not aware of many nations that have the ability to locate targets at sea, let alone attack them. Whereas a fixed base ashore, with a long runway, remains a (relatively) easy target - look at the FP needed for Bagram, Kandahar, Basra, Baghdad etc yet according to the news they are all regularly mortared.
And you can't coerce much with Typhoon from the UK homebase, whereas 12 miles offshore in international waters is a good indication of intent!