So I had copied the missions from previous version, and flew mission 03 -- this time the strike packages never show up around the Marshall point, whereas, IIRC, there was a lot of activity around the marshall point -- because you had to wait a bit for them to get ahead of you before you pushed. This time my flight was out there all alone, except I think for the Blue CAPs that were on station.
Also, in the newer version -- it's the strike eagles that are stuck on the taxiway. Not sure if messing with the mission in the editor will solve problem or not --