You don't send a truck to do a ute worth of work or
You don't send a C17 to do a twin otters worth of load.
Sending a C130J around a war zone with a 2000lb load doesn't make sense IF you can afford the options.
Finding a fixed wing aircraft around the place with Caribou performance but Herc load capability isn't going to happen.
This is about finding a smaller but capable trash hauler that can have half a chance of defending itself and operate at a cheaper rate. Now there is the challenge.
What the reduction in the USAs defence force (and current state of their space program shows) is just how out of control their financial situation is becoming.