As one other has pointed out, Burkett was ARMY, not AIR, but that is not why I am posting to you.
I think the "connection" with the Swift Boat Veterans is in the "tit for tat" arena. Kerry's Vietnam fabrications are being attacked by the Swift Boat Veterans, so Kerry has to attack GWB with ... [whatever Burkett has].
I think it is very telling how hard the SBVT ad hit John Kerry, and how recklessly he responded.
It suggests that the swifties were telling the truth-you don't react to lies the way Kerry has reacted to this.