The Canadian tanker issue while true for the moment is not the biggest issue, IMO. As PPCLI Guy notes, the MOB is not in shape to accept folks at KAF yet -- I would see the Hornets going into Baghram if they did come over here in the near future. I've walked the flightline at both Khandahar and Baghram and while BAF is relatively mature and in good condition, things operating from KAF need wither a robust particle separator for the engines (a la helos) or higher mounted engines... I can't comment on the manning and equipment issues of a 6-plane Tac Air det, but continuous support to deployed operations eats up people big time and is not to be undertaken lightly nor underestimated in its difficulty. As well, I think some folks perhaps not familiar with the Air Tasking process may not appreciate that having your own assets in theatre does not always equate to your troops always having first call...there is prioritization and preference to force package employment contained in the ATO (air tasking order), for example, if you are a CAS package, your support is directed when and where it's required...TIC (troops in contact), whomever they may be, will often get prioritized package support, followed by secondary/tertiary targets. Our troops would actually have a higher likelyhood of having own-country aircraft support if aviation were deployed into theatre in direct support of the Canadian task force. Sorry to the fast air guys if I've mangled the ATO/CAS issue too badly, but I think the flavour is right. I think that a package of Canuck 18's is more buy-in towards the overall coalition effort and credibility of the CF than it is an issue for having Canadian CF-18's dropping munitions in support of Canadian troops...I could be wrong though.
Cheers,
Duey