I quote a answer from a airwarfare specialist, on my question longtime ago, if 8x AIM-120's are needed, or whatever...
"It doesn't matter what the threat, or how well the intercept is run, there is always the possibility that a gomer will get to the merge and then reap havoc - F-16s do it to F-15s all the time. The heaters are an insurance policy that allows them to react very quickly when this happens."
So in this case Cali, if you ask youre F-16 pilots on Luke AFB, may the say the same...:)