It's a classic OA or logistics problem: how many units of X do you need to meet need Y? C-130s to supply the force, F-16s to provide air cover or strike, pilots

It's a classic OA or logistics problem: how many units of X do you need to meet need Y? C-130s to supply the force, F-16s to provide air cover or strike, pilots and aircrew to fly and maintain them, training required to maintain strength and readiness. Everyone does that assessment on the opposing force, to get an estimate of how credible they are. For the US that goal is two wars at the same time, anywhere. Right now they USAF has the problem of being 'hollow': not being able to meet their readiness requirements due to lack of people, operating airframes, or building technical debt through over-using equipment and people. So they have the 750th A-10 because they did the math. It's not about heroes, it's about being organised. The force is more than the individuals or the gadgets.