wokkameister, you just said that the large number of ac would be "an inordinate amount of air cover for these troops remaining". Since when did the troops complain they had too much air?
The fact it is late is not a fault of the current operators; rest assured they are working their asses off!
You know as well as I do that you cannot deploy a jet before all the trials are complete. Remember that the lead multi role sqn hasn't even formed (stood up (sic)) yet!
In due course the jet will also have to cover QRA S, QRA N, the Falklands, and any other ongoing op deployments. Give it a chance.