Originally Posted by
ORAC
So,the TF is there to defend the carrier, and the carrier is there to carry the assets to defend the TF.
Technically this is known as a self-licking lollipop......
Aside from the minor point that the carrier can do significantly more than defend the TF (particularly if the carrier is large enough to carry a decent number and mix of aircraft), it is the TF itself that delivers effect, whether that be carrier strike, amphibious threat, safe delivery of shipping, blockade, etc etc.
One might similarly (and equally wrongly) argue that an airbase which requires rock-apes, radar and air defence assets among other things, is an S-L-L.