Patrol zone sizes for CVN?

[Owl]

I'm curious what people prefer to use in HCE for patrol zone sizes when operating a CVN strike group against the Soviets. You want your Tomcats to be patroling far enough out to detect and destroy long range bombers (backfires, etc) before they get to launch range. You need to have your inner screen for ASW - keeping your Vikings out enough to hopefully spot subs.
I find myself wishing for one more zone in the formation circle.

[TeTeT]

I don't use the formation for anything buy ASW patrols - Vikings (if they are still aboard) and helos. For CAP I use the long distance patrol option when launching airplanes and place one directly behind the CV group as reserve, another one 50-100 miles front and yet another one in direction of the perceived threat, also 50-100 miles away. Usually I have 2 F-14 per CAP unit. When bandits are approaching I immediately launch interceptors (F-14 or F-18) to meet them and either use these or the existing CAP to engage the enemy.

[TonyE]

Very similar here, I keep my E-2 a good ways away from the carrier for deception and handle AAW patrols manually. I leave the ASW birds in formation because I don't have the patience to micro-manage them.

I try to avoid radiating with my actual carrier group whenever possible (so pretty much only turn radar on if I already know there are missiles inbound).

[Anonymous]

Same here: formation patrol zones only for ASW.

I usually station two Hawkeyes (manually) far off the carrier group (EMCON passive), each one protected by a pair of Tomcats. Two more two-flight Tomcats guard the remaining two quadrants. In addition to that I typpically have two Vikings and at least one Prowler aloft.

[CV32]

Similar to what others have stated, my self-imposed 'rules' for formation patrols:

1. ASW patrols only, unless:
(a) formation already painted by enemy radar; and/or
(b) in close contact
in which case, I will or may add formation patrols of:
(a) combat air patrol (CAP), to bolster air defenses against 'pop up' or massed attacks
(b) electronic warfare (EW) patrols.

2. AEW&C patrols outside of the formation, off axis and as far out as useful time on station and threat situation will permit, while still providing useful coverage of the formation on other axes

3. AAW/CAP patrols outside of the formation, usually in close proximity to the AEW&C patrol or along likely threat axes

4. EW patrols outside of the formation, usually in close proximity to the AAW/CAP or along likely threat axes

My patrol zone sizes are typically smaller as you get closer to the center of the formation, to eliminate gaps between ASW/AAW escorts, with larger zones on the outside for broad ASW coverage (especially if I have birds with long legs like the Viking) and depending on the environment and mission (e.g. transit across open ocean, chokepoint, etc)

Further reading on HCE and formations: Tactics 101: Naval Formations