That’s not what I was talking about, but even that is interesting. I was talking about the total number of aircraft per Air Wing, not the total number of Air Wings. This may be the first time that I’m aware of though that the Navy had more Carriers than it did Carrier Air Wings.
There is always one carrier going through major overhaul/refueling. That's a two year process that doesn't require an air wing.
As for the size, the old air wings had two fighter squadrons, two light attack squadrons of A-7s and a heavy attack squadron of A-6s. They now have 4 squadrons of F-18s so they can do more with fewer aircraft. Depending on the needs the carrier has 4 fighter squadrons instead of just 2. Or four attack squadrons instead of just 3.