[groovejedi]

shouldnt all that be a part of the training? I mean, for them to be ingaged in combat and suddenly stop everything to rescue one plane, wouldnt that interupt combat missions that are very important? I'm not very well educated on carrier landing and missions or military operations, just an inquiring mind.

[Squint]

I mean, for them to be ingaged in combat and suddenly stop everything to rescue one plane, wouldnt that interupt combat missions that are very important?

In combat they would have recovered the remaining planes and looked for the pilot later. However, in training it is better to be safe and divert the airborne aircraft, when possible, and go get the pilot.