would be much cooler if it showed up unannounced. AIM-120D has long range, but so is R-37 and R-33. (yes total range is larger than no-escape range, and probably western and eastern missiles measure it in different ways, but still). F-16s are delivered in symbolic numbers now and for the time being, their only job is plinking shaheds with sidewinders and won’t do that until more are delivered, from what i understand
i’m not saying this will do nothing, i’m saying effect of this delivery could have been much more permanent