One of the biggest issues with CV operations in AH is the lack of CAP. Once a CV is close to it's target, you will see a conga line of fighter taking off and proceeding straight to the enemy base. Very often not a single fighter is actually trying to protect the CV from bombers coming in from other bases. Even when inbiund bombers have been called out on country channel.
A dozen fighters in the air and their only reaction to incoming 8k bombers is screaming "TURN DA CV!!!!!!!!!!", followed by blaming the poor guy who actually controlled the CV when it didn't work.
So if you can't kill all ords at the surrounding bases (rarely works), try to keep at least 2 fighters on CAP, covering the most likely approaches (which aren't always the direct ones) Stay 10-12k and keep an eye out for the ones on the deck, which are harder to spot from higher altitudes. And don't let a single Jabo drag you all down to the deck - he may sink the CA, but will only kill the CV if it's already almost down (CV regenerates hull damage within 5 minutes). Leave that one for the 5" gunners, but you have to give them precise information about the threat.
That way 2-3 airborne defenders can keep a CV alive for a long time...