These are all real cost reasons, but there is an important reason you are missing: people. Firstly, pilots don't receive much training benefit from being cannon fodder for other pilots; they are not learning to operate their system (whether Super Hornet or JSF) but emulating another aircraft (e.g. a Sukhoi). The situation is slightly different for the agressor squadrons, as they are emulating the most dangerous threats (like J31 or PAK FA). But for everyday readiness training, spending time as the red force is not a joy.
Second, the USAF has a pilot numbers problem. The more experienced pilots are getting out as fast as they are able; there are many reasons for this, and COVID-19 will slow it down, but it will continue. To compensate they are trying to ram more in at the front of the funnel. This will cause other problems, not the least of which is a massive shortage of training personnel, causing overwork, causing more FCIs to leave, and so on.
The ex-USAF (and ex-RAAF) pilots flying these jets are enjoying not being sent overseas to shitty bases on long tours, or having to move their family interstate regularly, or dealing with braindead administrative detail and mandatory fun exercises some Colonel dreamed up. They are some of the best pilots around, and normally they would be lost to the airlines.
Second, the USAF has a pilot numbers problem. The more experienced pilots are getting out as fast as they are able; there are many reasons for this, and COVID-19 will slow it down, but it will continue. To compensate they are trying to ram more in at the front of the funnel. This will cause other problems, not the least of which is a massive shortage of training personnel, causing overwork, causing more FCIs to leave, and so on.
The ex-USAF (and ex-RAAF) pilots flying these jets are enjoying not being sent overseas to shitty bases on long tours, or having to move their family interstate regularly, or dealing with braindead administrative detail and mandatory fun exercises some Colonel dreamed up. They are some of the best pilots around, and normally they would be lost to the airlines.