Since the carrier can replenish any of these commodities at sea, not only do these carriers serve as first responders, they may also continue combat operations for many months.

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Most such businesses can't afford the staff and hassle required to navigate a sea of local, long-distance and wireless carriers, Internet and application service providers and Web site and e-mail hosts.

FORBES: Land Grab

The great virtue of carriers, say the admirals, is versatility: last March Sea Harriers from Illustrious escorted allied reconnaissance planes over Southern Iraq.

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