Can the USAF stop lying about air power needs?

The United States Air Force is happy to mislead and state that there are no alternatives to the troubled F-35. Since the F-35 can only be a second tier fighter and does not have the ability to take on large threats, what the USAF claims is not true.

An advanced F-16 will do second tier fighter work just fine. The F-16 is cheaper to acquire and sustain than the F-35. It is already cleared for a variety of long range stand-off weapons like JASSM and HARM (if that is your thing). It can have AESA and IRST like the Block 60. It can have conformal fuel tanks. There is the option of two aircrew which is better for close air support and UAV control. F-16 sensor fusion works and does not over-reach. The F-16 has excellent defensive jamming gear. The F-35 does not.

Hopefully with budget cut decisions, the lies of the USAF on this matter will be shot down. Unfortunately, on the topic of air power, the USAF has an established record of lying. Over the past several years, USAF air power decisions have put the defense of the United States and its allies in danger.