trap One,
You may have missed the point about Gannets already being on board
Each 1970's CVA had a 4 aircraft flight of Gannet AEW3 aircraft permanently embarked as part of the air wing (849D Flight for Ark, IIRC), along with 6 Sea King HAS1/3's and a ship's flight of two SAR Wessex. It wasn't just two squadrons, amazingly enough
The Task Group would have included all the usual RFA's for liquid and solid RAS to support the carrier and escorts.
What AAR trail would be required in your supposition? The air group would have gone with the Ark, not sent along afterward.