Jim.
You do not return any cards. Just draw three, one each of the first three moves. This will give you a minimum possible of one enemy ship and a max of four if you are really unlucky.

For your searching for the fleet ship if you choose to send one you just draw one card when it leaves the table and act on that card.

For wings go here:- https://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/forum.php

Welcome to the other side.

Rob.