>>No what is a big deal with the US Carriers ... their ability to operate out at sea for years without hitting port and without requiring lay-up.<<
Ha, you have obviously never seen a carrier hit port after 30 DAYS at sea. The crew spends like Congress, drinks like there’s no tomorrow and fights like MMA.
My first trip to Hawaii and we see the USS Ranger anchored off Diamonhead. They had been kicked out for destroying the EM Club at Pearl. Later they got kicked out of Oakland - their HOME PORT.
1. USS Ranger isn’t a modern carrier
2. Modern carriers can operate for years out at sea and have operated up to 9 months at sea.
We we first were bringing carriers into the gulf, they weren’t allowed into the ports. Too dangerous. They would have to stay out there for the 4 months they were deployed underway.