The capabilities of the Aegis cruisers and destroyers hundreds of miles from the carrier should answer your question.

War is hell.

As a veteran of 2 carriers, you do not understand that with a carrier comes her entire entourage. Destroyers, cruisers, ammo ship, fuel ships and the quiet service...the submarines. This combination is lethal. Carriers and her task group do not leave station until relieved by another carrier task group. Carriers have…

The carrier won WWII. If not for the carrier we would be speaking Japanese or German today.