5nm is the MAX diameter of port holding. With a light jet at 250 knots 30 degree AOB we are more like 3-4nm diameter. Smaller diameters make for faster join ups at the start of a mission. Also makes your flight easier to find when you head for the post.
There is a cruiser portside of the carrier at roughly 5nm in the VFA-113 LSO Mission, you want to be inside that at position 3.
We just make sure position 1 looks right each time and maintain the bank, altitude, speed for the rest of the turn. You will need to fly BRC at position one each time to counter the fleet movement over the ocean.