I do realize the difference in firepower and capability though. Just focusing on the numbers
Bear in mind, in 1945 we spent 42% of GDP on defense. In 2016 it was 3%.
Also, a Fletcher-class destroyer cost $6 million in WW2 (in 1945 dollars, of course). An Arleigh Burke-class destroyer costs $1.8 billion. Even taking inflation into account, that's 21 times more expensive!
“Somehow 12 ships and armada just don’t go together when one thinks about TF 38 of the 3rd Fleet in WWII which consisted of 8 Fleet Carriers, 8 light carriers, 6 battleships, 6 heavy cruisers, 9 light cruisers, 58 destroyers.
I do realize the difference in firepower and capability though. Just focusing on the numbers”
Besides tomahawks and nukes (which they no longer carry) TF38 was far more deadly than this effort.