Again it is sad to read how folks pounce on the very slightest adverse comment regarding the carrier option although we are supposedly discussing the demise of the Harrier.
Is anyone here suggesting that an airbase would never close because of adverse weather conditions? I am guessing it would close the instant the smoke from your beloved Weber barbecues drifted anywhere near the runway
Or can our aircraft deliver their ordnance in every type of weather nature can throw at it?
Yes a carrier would stop flying for safety reasons because of bad weather, but at least it has the option of moving away from a storm, or around the wretched thing.
We all seem to ignore the fact that our aircraft are operating from a location where we are guests. Our hosts can tell us to go away at any time or perhaps put up the rent to an even higher extortionate rate and that appears perfectly acceptable as opposed to opening the garage doors and allowing our captive aircraft the chance to prove themselves more than capable of giving that much needed support.
Regarding the short notice scrambling of aircraft, is anyone here seriously suggesting there are not 'boots' on the ground?