Originally Posted by Lazer-Hound
Token gestures don't win wars either. In fact, when one considers the deconfliction, C2 and logistics problems the presence of the RAF must have caused CENTAF, as well as the ramp-space the RAF took up which could have been more effectively used by F15s, F117's, A10's, etc., one has to wonder whether it was worth the RAF turning up at all.
Unlike our land breatheren that rarely work in combined formations (below division) the Air world has been working in the combined world for many years (multi-national COMAOs were a common occurance in Cold War days) so interoperability with allies isn't new.
The waisting of ramp space! As opposed the the ramp space took up by the RAF provision of TacRecce (something the USAF doesn't do a lot of), Air Refueling (crucial for USN), STORMSHADOW equipped aircraft...
Not to mention the RAF SH and RN CF that flew when their US counterparts refused.
The RAF is just as much of a supporting arm of the USAF (and USN air) as the British Army is to the US Army - discuss.
One could say the same for everything else the UK took to theatre - including an understrength UK division (2 x lt 1 x armd). National political stances aside, the kit that went was used and was needed by the Coalition.
Token efforts - my ARRSE.