It is easy to poke fun of the AF becuse they do have an easy lifstyle compared to the Navy and the Marines, But sometime that works to our advantage. I worked hand in hand with the AF in Iraq and they saved my skin more than several times. Pulling an F-16 from the stack and giving them a talk on was the most userfriendly 9 line ever. Plus they would always be more then willing to get rid of that last final 500 pounder. They always wanted to leave with empty wings. Not to mention Gun runs, I didn't think that they really did this but coming in low and shooting up the place with their cannon was a sight to see. Every now and again they would get a little close and a wave off was in order but they were not afraid to get close to us when things got tight. and they were so easy to talk to over the radiio when things were not quite right. They trusted the Marine FACs and we had a good easy going relationship with them. Marine and Navy plane were all well and good but early on when the stuff was hitting the fan it always seemed the AF fix wing was always there.
Marine Helos a different story altogether. They have a huge pair.
As for the KC 130 Specter gunship, I would not be alive if it weren't for that thing prowling the night sky. Soo easy to talk to and aquire targets in a urban environment. The would track down individual people and take care of them. Best thing was, most of the time The gunship's weapons officer was a woman and she would talk over the radio at night. Knowing that a woman with the soothing voice was protecting you with 40 mm, 120 and the minigun was something to experience. Guys joke that she had to have a huge ass to fly in the kc 130 but in my mind she was beautifull.
AF was awesome in Iraq, they have had their hicups and I am privy to all those situations (don't mention Nasiriyah, I was there too) They have a role, just because they don't eat as much dirt as we do they are easy to make fun of but when your tail is on the line they come through.
Anybody have the time, read Mark Bowden's Book "Road Work" there is a story called "Kabul-ki Dance" Makes you want to fly no matter what branch.
all in good fun