"to what extent were the Scouts / Gazelles / Lynx of 3CBAS carrier integrated?
Were they capable of operating from ships like this or did they have to be based ashore?
And weren't 847 supposed to be getting Apaches to replace their Lynx?"
Yes they were fully integrated.
They wanted Cobra because it is marinised, but were never going to get it once the Army went Apache. Getting Wildcat.
I'm not having a go at the Apache boys, but I would be interested to see what the environment is doing to the airframes, and having seen the Apache dunker, I am impressed by their bravery.
I can't imagine there is any problem in the Wardroom and Messdecks. We have put up with stray Crabs for years, and we tend to get along with the Army rather better since they know how to hold a knife and fork.