"The average grunt also understands that air force can give a shi+ about tactical air. "
Maybe you missed all the reports and pictures of the B-1/B-52/F-16/F-15E strikes in Afghanistan? Maybe you've never heard of an AC-130. Maybe you don't know there are currently A-10's flying out of Bagram airfield. Maybe you don't know that the purpose of most of the special forces in Afghanistan during the first several weeks of the war was to coordinate Navy and Air Force airstrikes. Maybe you don't realize that your obvious ignorance puts you in a category several levels below today's average grunt. Then again, maybe you do know that much. If "aimlow" is your goal in life, I think you have acheived it.
You mean the same air force that tried to get rid of the A-10's. The same air force that spends ungodly sums of money on bombers that do nothing for tactical air? That cost so much that they are named after states? The same air force that got rid of the F-111 electronic warfare platforms even though they are responsible to the CJCS for them. The same air force that calls a C2 tent a weapon in order to justify the cost? The same air force that has to use B-52's as weapon platforms because they have spent so much money on B-2's and B-1's and they are uncapable of influencing the action. The same air force that does not allow Marines to use there clubs but are happy as hell to hide behind one or have one show up to rescue his ass. The same air force that it's pilots were turning around in the middle of mission's during the Gulf that the General had to publish a message reminding them that war means they too could be shot at. The us air force is the best in the world. And staffed by a bunch of wussies that spend more money than can be imagined.