ORIGINAL: DanNeely
I'm 95% sure I've seen mixed air/helo units onboard carriers. Either that or the helos in the fleet unit itself. I know it was one or the other.
THANK YOU!!!!!!! This does indeed work. Many thanks to everyone for their help in resolving this issue.
FYI: the final resolution is: divide the ARG into two groups: one with a couple small escorts and the atk choppers, one with the carrier, large escorts, and transport helos (so you don't lose Sea Knights in an attack). I'm using Sea Harriers for AV-8As; the differences are actually quite modest, and the anti-shipping capability seems reasonable, since they are most likely to come up against smaller vessels. There will be a Theater Option to "land the airgroup," wherein the ARG withdraws/ disbands, and the individual helicopter units enter as reinforcements. It is a kludge, but not a big one. I'm still deciding if you get the ARG back.
It does appear that, when the choppers are embedded in a naval unit, they do not automatically perform supporting fire... in fact, I can't really get them to do so when I commit them 100% to the battle. However, they will attack if ordered to do so separately. Weird.
Thanks again,
Jon