Close Air Support (CAS) has always been the red headed stepchild of the Air Force. When the AF was run by the Bomber Generals, it was the B-47, then the B-52. When the Air Superiority Generals took over, it was the F-15 A/C and then the F-22, the aircraft without a mission. Now, the Special Operations Generals take over and they want the biggest and best UAV. They floated the idea of giving the A-10 to the Army, until someone pointed out the money went with it.
When will the AF get a grip on their mission?
The answer, when they promote warriors and throw out desk clerks.
The real answer is likely never.
Interesting. My son (a KC-135AC) just moved to NV to begin training to fly the Predator.
If you want CAS, you go the the Marine Corps.