With adequate troop deployment and clever tactical arrangements, such an attack mission is unlikely to fail.
As long as the air defense fighters are suppressed, hundreds of heavy anti-ship missiles launched by 20 B-52G bombers will surely annihilate the 61st Special Mixed Fleet.
However, Stark did not let his guard down.
After dispatching escort fighters, each of the 3 carriers sent out 2 EA-6B electronic attack aircraft.
Arranging shipborne early warning aircraft to command escort operations is extremely difficult, mainly because the early warning aircraft's range is not enough and its flight speed cannot keep up with the fighter formations. Furthermore, venturing forward holds the risk of being shot down by enemy aircraft, but sending several electronic attack aircraft to support the escort fighters is not as troublesome. In fact, the 51st Special Mixed Fleet has only these 6 EA-6B in good condition, capable of taking off for combat missions.
