the tatterd remains of the Taliban and Al Queda.

The first objective in combat is to remove as much material support and communications assets the enemy has.
Using the examples of Iraq and Bosnia. It can proved beyond a reasonable doubt. Air Power works. If used properly.

The use of precision guided weapons during the Gulf war effectivly removed the communications infrastructure and air defenses of Iraq. As that goal was achieved the supply lines were destroyed.
The much touted armed forces of iraq became a starving thirsty mob.

No supplies were reaching them, no communications meant they had no central command. While individual units fought hard the lack of munitions and replacement parts left them with little reserves. They simply could not maintain a long range battle plan.

In Bosnia, a very different theatre, both in scale and scope. The air strikes effectivly destroyed the ability to move about freely. Communications were not as damaged as in Iraq, but with units pinned down or destroyed there were no cohesive military forces to command.

Afghanistan is another story, with the removal of air defenses, the ruling military structures could be struck repeatedly, Denying them supplies and breaking morale of the conscripts forced from the many small villages.

The Taliban had (Had!) quite a lot of military assets from many different sources. Tanks, APC's, SAM's and Artilliry.
Most of which now sits in smoldering ruin scattered across the country. They now are forced to survive as small units scattered accross the rugged parts of the country. They will now resort to guerrila type warfare. Which mean some poor schmuck is going to have to dig them out on foot, which again brings us back to air power. Apache's, Warthogs and such. Precision strikes by guided munitions delivered by F-16's and such.

Air power works, when the inevitable ground troops come in a well coordianted air campaign will have destroyed the major weapon systems of the enemy. Along with supply lines and morale.

Personal Note, You can have your F-16's and F-117a's. Give me the A-10, for a foot soldier it is a beautiful sight! And scares the holy living sh*t out of anyone on the wrong end of one.