Totally disagree Jeff. The Holloman F-22's are pure A2G birds.They replaced the F-117 there for the reason of doing the Nighthawk's job, better faster and more of a payload. And can fight its way in and out if need be. However the F-22 is way overpriced and that is what gets it killed. We need the F-35's to replace the F-16's that are getting up there in years. F-35 will not replace an A-10 in its role for as good as the A-10 does it. They can say it will replace the F-35, but we all know better.
Having said that, Jeff is right, the AF got kicked in the balls. We need new tankers, C-5's need to be replaced (I can tell you that for a fact) our F-15's and 16's are getting long in the tooth. Something must be done but hell if I know what it is.
I do agree with something Gates said though. We need to quit thinking in large engagements and start thinking about more fights we are in now. Small skirmishes, battling insurgents etc. (Yes we need the capability to fight a big war if need be) but the focus should be what I said earlier. More specialized units etc.