Let's take a look at the anatomy of a missile strike and get an idea of just how many aircraft and facilities it takes to land a (highly successful) missile strike using twin engine multi-role fighters. I'm looking at the air assets only in this thread. Images are representative. 
In 2018 France, the UK and the USA degraded Syria's ability to conduct chemical warfare following reports of a chemical attack on civilians in Douma.
The air attack came from two directions: Anglo-French from France, Italy and the Eastern Med; The US from the Persian Gulf.
The air attack came from two directions: Anglo-French from France, Italy and the Eastern Med; The US from the Persian Gulf.
From the West, France air launched 9 SCALP EG cruise missiles.
The UK air launched 8 Storm Shadow cruise missiles, effectively the same weapon as the SCALP EG, co-developed with France.
From the East, the USA air launched 19 AGM-158A JASSM cruise missiles.
France launched their SCAL EG's from 5x Rafale B Omnirole fighters of the Escadron de Chasse 1/4.
The UK launched their Storm Shadow's from 4x Tornado GR.4 Strike aircraft of No. IX(B) Squadron.
Protecting the 9x plane Anglo-French Air Strike Package above were:
4x Mirage 2000-5 from Escadron de Chasse 1/2
4x Mirage 2000-5 from Escadron de Chasse 1/2
4x Typhoon FGR.4's from No. 6 Squadron.
12x F-15C's from 493rd Fighter Squadron.
And 12x F-16C's from 333rd Fighter Squadron.
Air control was supplied by 2x E-3F from EDCA 0/36.
ELINT was supplied by 1x RC-135V Rivet Joint from 38th Reconnaissance Squadron.
Ground Surveillance was provided by 2x RQ-4B Global Hawk from 9th Operations Group DET 4.
Refuelling all of this was handled by:
6x C-135FR's from GRV-2/91.
6x C-135FR's from GRV-2/91.
3x KC-10A Extender's from 60th Air Mobility Wing.
And 4x KC-135R's from 100th Air Refuelling Wing.
Back in the East, the USA launched their AGM-158A JASSM's from 2x B-1B Lancer Heavy Bombers from 34 Expeditionary Bomb Squadron.
Protection for the B-1B's was provided by:
4x F-22A Raptor's from 380th Expeditionary Wing.
4x F-22A Raptor's from 380th Expeditionary Wing.
And 1x EA-6B Prowler from VMAQ-2. Amongst the type's last actions.
Communications (and probably more...) were supplied by 1x E-11A BACN from 430th Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron.
These were refuelled by 2x KC-10A Extender's from the 305th Air Mobility Wing.
All in all, the Western Strike took:
17 missiles
9 Strike aircraft
33 Escorts
5 Support
13 Tankers
7 Air Bases
The Eastern Strike took:
19 Missiles
2 Heavy Bombers
5 Escorts
1 Support
2 Tankers
2 Air Bases
17 missiles
9 Strike aircraft
33 Escorts
5 Support
13 Tankers
7 Air Bases
The Eastern Strike took:
19 Missiles
2 Heavy Bombers
5 Escorts
1 Support
2 Tankers
2 Air Bases
Although an overly simple example not accounting for overlap, it anecdotally suggests that Heavy Bombers retain a massive role in future long range, mass precision strike; arguably providing similar or greater impact for less complexity, fewer assets and, potentially, lower cost.
/FIN
