Well I'm not RAF or RN, but I do read history, and the FAA has traditionally been in the sights of the RAF, equally traditionally meeting the challenge when things hit the fan.
Wether that was the case recently is open to question, but I never cease to be amazed more people who should know better do not seem to recognise the GR9 is / was a precision Strike aircraft, ie exactly what is required right now.
Flying exotic agile fighters long distances to drop the odd bomb, apparently requiring a Tornado to illuminate the target, seems an awkward and expensive way of doing things compared to flying off Ark Royal relatively close by ( yes I know about fast attack boats etc ).
It also seems conveniently forgotten that we still have Illustrious, left without fixed wing aircraft; as it looks very like the Queen Elizabeth will be for quite some time !