HH,
This is a Sentinel rather than Sentry thread.
I wouldn't read too much into any operational pause. Every squadron needs to take a breather now and again, as do it's a/c. ISTAR doesn't have the luxury of multiple squadrons for each type. Additionally, other nations take turns at holding a capability in theatre.
I'm quite confident about both 5 and 8 squadrons futures. I'd be more worried about the additional Typhoon squadrons never arriving. Christ knows how they'll man them.