As a helicopter mender type I have a couple of questions.
Firstly, where is the nearest “friendly” diversion for the Typhoons should they have a problem whilst on task? Secondly, how long can a Typhoon remain “on charge” to the aircrew before it has to be serviced? As you know we do things a little differently in the FAA with 25, 50, 75 hrlys etc, but there must come a time when it has to be pulled for maintenance.
With so much time spent getting to and from Libya from Akrotiri you are effectively “burning” aircraft serviceability just to arrive on task.
I won’t bleat on about the lack of carrier air, that horse has bolted!
Cheers