Tyler Rogoway is one of the best, most accurate writers on all things military. If he says the story of F-35Is flying combat missions over Syria is pretty much bunk, you can rest assured it very likely is bunk.
The F-35 reminds me of the Lee-Enfield Rifle, a weapon that looks like it was built by various committees. I hope it works out for the fly boys they way they wanted it too. Lots of money sunk into this if it turns out to be a turkey.