how do you attack enemy ships?

[troywow]

i know i know stupid question but i am new and i read the manual and i still don't understand how to attack a enemy ship with your planes. evertime i try i get this messege. "LRCAP MISSION ONLY MAY TARGET TY!!!" i don't know what i am doing wrong can somone tell me how to set a set of planes to attack an enemy ship?
Also
how do i attack a enemy that is attacking one of my bases one of my ports is getting bombarded by ships but i go to attack it and i end up attacking my own base?

[loricas]

i can't target specific TF as naval target: you must give your aircraft naval attack order and commander decide what TF attack...

and your TF never attack your bases...make a TF surface combat

[Chris21wen]

As loricas said you cannot attack a TF directly, the goups commander will do that for you if you set the group to 'Naval attack'

Bombardment TF normal travel to within one turn max steaming range or their target, steam in and bombard at night and leave. This will take them, hopefully, out of range or enemy a/c at their target. You can:

Set your air units to night ops but this isn't very effective.
Bring in a Surface TF of your own to protect the base. As the allies PT boats do this well.
Catch them with a carrier TF where they wil be either going in or coming out. Needless to say the enemy might have a plan of its own.