Air Force capabilities?

First, there was the blunder of B-52s carrying nuclear weapons inside the United States without notice, and we now learn they are contracting to use Russian military cargo planes to haul supplies to Iraq…apparently because there aren't enough heavy haulers in the U.S. inventory. I'm not bashing the Air Force, just repeating what I read in the media. I really have no problem with using Russian heavy cargo aircraft; maybe it will further our relations. And, the Air Force (to their credit) stepped forward and admitted it made a mistake on the nuclear weapons situation. But, I do wonder of there might be some way to better utilize USAF (ground-based) manpower, so as to take some stress off the Army and Marines, who are doing most of the heavy lifting in Iraq and Afghanistan.