If you get rid of the idea that the Air Force has airplanes that will deliver nuclear weapons to foreign cities as one of the arms of mutual assured destruction, then what really does the Air Force do?
We know that it really questionable how valuable it is as a long-range system for delivering nukes, and that is especially true in light of cruise missiles that can deliver a package with a square meter target.
Therefore, what does air superiority DO? Answer: it establishes the conditions throughout the entire battle space, so that victory can be won through all its dimensions.
In short, it is fire support in an age of much larger battle space. Anything flying close air support is part of the ongoing battle, and anything flying protection in the air above is simply a force protection measure in the air dimension of the battle space.
“If you get rid of the idea that the Air Force has airplanes that will deliver nuclear weapons to foreign cities as one of the arms of mutual assured destruction, then what really does the Air Force do?”
Anyone that makes that type of ignorant comment as to what the AF does has no sense even thinking such a thing as removing it.