Although a Special Mixed Fleet was formed, in specific tactical arrangements, it is still divided into 3 carrier battle groups.
Relatively speaking, the greatest advantage of grouping the 3 carrier battle groups together is actually mutual cover. In area air defense operations, the Anti-Air Cruisers in the 3 battle groups can provide cover for other carriers, significantly enhancing the ability to resist a saturation attack.
Strictly speaking, it is actually the combat capability of the area air defense system that determines the size of the Special Mixed Fleet, that is, how many carrier battle groups can be included in a fleet.
To put it directly, if the combat range of the area air defense system is only 200 kilometers, then grouping 3 carrier battle groups together is already the limit. If the combat range of the area air defense system can be doubled, theoretically 9 carrier battle groups can be grouped together.
