By combat ready this year it just means they will deploy in limited combat capabilities. Any possibility of a real dog fight, and these things are limited. Can't run, can't outmaneuver, can't dogfight. Its another dead sled.

Reliance on missiles means the rules of engagement have to be 100% certain long range target, which is beyond visual confirmation, is an actual threat. In the short term that means it can only be used when they are patrolling no fly zones. With the high maintenance hours per flight hour, they won't be flying patrols on high alert utilization.