Assuming the F35 can be operational after a few flights and...

Assuming the F35 can be operational after a few flights and don't get hit by bird strikes. They have significant down time to an F16 and are so few in numbers for any long-term operational evaluation. More likely F15/F16 fight not worth risking the possibility of getting damaged let alone shoot down till they have undergone more field tests and are in larger numbers for air superiority.