It's been my observation that our Air-Force pilots aren't arrogant, thinking that ground-support is beneath them, but rather, that it is a lot more dangerous than air-to-air combat.  And the infantry holds the A-10, and its pilots in high esteem.  15's, 16's, Tornado's, all were too vulnerable below 10k.  A-10s were so low and slow, they could give the enemy a haircut, and come home with holes in the wings big enough to almost drive a compact car through.  most important though, was that the A-10 pilots were able to fly low and close enough, to see who was enemy, and who was friendly.