Without aircraft in the overhead ready to "support" we would not risk boots on the ground for a day.
The State rests its case Your Honor!
Air Power cannot occupy, hold, or secure ground....it takes the plain ol' Infantry Soldier with a rifle and (in the old days) a fixed Bayonet to do that. We own what is controlled by that guy on the ground.
As controlling a specified bit of dirt is always the central focus of warfare....anything else is secondary.
We Aviators, as much as it pains us at times....must remember that.
We can go off hunting with our airborne guns,rockets, and bombs....but in the final analysis....unless we send in the Grunts....as soon as we leave the opposite side just comes back, polices up the debris, and sets up shop once again.