Question

You say that like they really did the Falklands all that well in the first place. They never did learn their lesson from that one and build a full size carrier.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Current_Royal_Navy_ships

Maybe with the current crisis we could talk them into taking the JFK off our hands. Heck, we'll even throw in the F14s for free!

You should see what is being said about this now. U.S. commanders are wondering why the British allowed themselves to be captured and did not defend themselves and the British fire back and essentially say they are not a bunch of cowboys like the Americans, we play nice and surrender like good dhimmis should.

Via AllahPundit at HotAir: U.S. Commander Says American Sailors Would Have Resisted

I also liked the snark in saying that the British should ask Jimmy Carter how to handle the hostage situation, since he handled it so well.

does anyone know anything about this new carrier that the Brits and French are joint-producing?

I should go ask Murdoc or something....

I don't think anyone would want the JFK, the shape that its in...

Mike, I would not be too hard on the Brits who got captured. The accounts I read said they were returning from a boarding operation in their small boat and were surrounded by Iranian gunboats. Fifteen guys in an open boat against several gunboats most likely is not survivable. Where was HMS Cornwall? I don't know, but it could have also been a case of not having a clear shot. Yes, the ROE is different. The US always assumes the inherent right of self-defense, which is contrary to NATO. Basically, we say that if you can determine "hostile intent" then take the first shot, not the first hit. NATO says don't shoot unless fired upon. Of course the difficulty lies in making that "hostile intent" determination...

Frankly, I find the British situation of their own making. As a USCG officer who has conducted hundreds of boardings, both Counter-Narcotic and in the North Arabian Gulf in the presence of IRGN gun boats, there is one rule - always position the ship to protect your boarding team, particularly if in a high threat environment. The boarding team leader was always to have strong situational awareness too, both of what his/her team was doing and what the ship was doing and where it was located.

To me, the British saying the CORNWALL was out of comms range and not present to warn their team of the danger is inexcusable. I would relieve that CO at the earliest possible opportunity. The Boarding Officer also failed his men by allowing them to be surprised and surrounded.

Granted, I wasn't there and none of us have all the details, but these two factors gave the Iranians a golden opportunity which they wasted no time in seizing. Seems like the Brits got a little sloppy or complacent.

Althought I doubt Britain would have to go it alone if it came to a naval war with the Iranians, they would have little problem with handling them. The Iranians possess a far less capable navy than the Argentines (did) and the Brits still have the capacity to send it to the bottom of the sea.

No full battle carrier is needed. What air assets the Brits lack in the PG can be backed up with land-based air.

In a NAVAL/AIR war... my money is on the Brits.