Since there is so much doom and gloom, I propose a recreational what-if. I like to read naval history and just been reading :
Storm Over Leyte: The Philippine Invasion and the Destruction of the Japanese Navy
by John Prados
and
The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors: The Extraordinary World War II Story of the U.S. Navy's Finest Hour
by James D. Hornfischer
This is the battle of Taffy 3 (and some associated aircraft from Taffy 2) against a giant Japanese surface fleet: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_off_Samar
There have been quite a few alternate history books, films and anime where a warship ro two bounces back in time to some critical instance in history. Some are fun, some are stupid.
Thus, being bored, I give you this:
A storm like the one in Final Countdown (fun but stupid ending) replaces Taffy 3 with the following that happen to be sailing around together:
6 USN Wasp - amphib assault ships = https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasp-c...s_assault_ship. They will configured for sea control with 20 Harriers and 6 Cobra helicopters.
For escort: Instead of the Fletchers, we get 3 Ticos and for the DEs, we get 4 latest Arleigh Burkes. They are loaded with the usual combo of missiles for sea control.
The two fleets discover each other at the same distances as in Samar. Basically at the horizon distances. Assume the USN ships don't just screw up from disbelief but figure it out quickly.
What to do? I have ideas but I'll leave it to the group.
If this is stupid, don't play - it's a lockdown exercise. We are reopening now, and won't have to resort to such soon!