Perhaps there was/is/could have been something in my suggestion of a lease* - mentioned back
on this post here? Leasing ten or so jets (and support MOU) in exchange for 74 would still result in the USMC getting over sixty more than they have now.
Worryingly, the Chief of Defence Staff has been talking about plans for conflict with Syria and/or Iran. Surely SDSR said that this could not happen this decade?
*Probably not if you are a politician.