Wow, this has turned into a long thread. Here's my thoughts:
NOE missions can be fun for both attackers and defenders alike, IF there are similiar #'s on both sides. I've had my share of fun trying to up in time to thwart such an attack several times. Unless I'm in the tower when (or IF) the call comes that an NOE raid has been detected, I have a reasonably good chance of getting airborne. 90% of the time, I am already fighting elsewhere, and when or if I die, it's too late to help at the base being attacked. You have limited choices in that situation, usually: a)sit in the tower and laugh at the 20 or more planes swarming the base to make sure NO defense gets up, or; b) spawn a plane or GV and get vulched("whatever it takes, at all costs") so you can't defend.
What I don't understand, is why go attack a base that has NO activity there? Sure, it makes great tactical sense, IF YOU WANT TO AVOID COMBAT AND RISK.
Face it, the hordes typically attack an undefended base or port in large numbers because they: 1)don't want to have to fight, and 2) if they do have to fight, they know they better have overwhelming #'s to succeed.
Wanna have your fun and probably NO ONE will have much negative to say? Take your NOE mission and go to a base that has activity, that has planes taking off and landing. Go TO the fight and don't do "whatever it takes at all costs" to avoid combat and you will find your style of play more positively accepted.
Years ago, Mathman used to log into the arena and greet everyone in there with a message saying something like "Greetings esteemed enemies, the Bish now declare war" and you KNEW he was forming a mission. Difference is, it was usually a long one, with gobs of buff and as many escorts, all at 20K or above, flying from several sectors away. He formed missions that INVITED a fight, let you know he was up to something, let you know he wanted you to try and defend against it.
Nowadays, the norm seems to be to sneak a base if you can(again, great tactics if you want to avoid fights), but just in case you can't, make sure you take, oh....at least 20 guys with you just in case someone actually spots you and tries to fight back.
Disclaimer: Large numbers are not needed if the pilots involved have any skill whatsoever. Week before last I spotted a NOE raid inbound to a base in the far corner of a map. Turned out to be 3-4 110's and two F4U's (one was H5117) and the goon. That was it. Yeah, my sucky flying (and frustration from fighting off NOE hordes most of the evening prior to this) allowed them an easy capture, but the point is, you don't have to have a large group to accomplish a base capture.
Take your entourage of pilots and go hit a base that you know will be defended. See what happens. Come back here and tell how THAT goes.