“...unless they use mercs.”
Ummm... how many “ex/retired”USAF pilots might be in country, enticed by perhaps $10,000 per sortie ?
I wouldn’t assume many up to date F-16 pilots would be in country. Some will chase the money.
There’s also the maintenance and parts issues.
Where are the sorties to originate?
This is a major cluster in every way.
I’d rather get rated for the airlines myself.