KeepitTidy -
What utter
You must have a very short memory - up until the end of 2003 the jets had been continiously employed on operations since their purchase. Balkans, Afghanistan & Iraq.
Not all items in the toolbox need to be used for every job - to throw them out as a result is to court disaster.
Have you thought about a career in politics?
"You only want a lifeboat when you are drowning!" - unfortunately by then it is too late.
The Sentry is a remarkably versatile platform that can be used in a variety of roles, AEW being just one.
You never know what is round the corner.