What problems arise from running down your fighter force then reviving it?

Various air forces throughout the world do not have the funds to support a fighter force on an ongoing basis (maintaining aircraft, pilot skill levels etc). In some instances there is a total, permanent cut in the fighter force eg New Zealand. In some instances there is a temporary cut eg UK naval fighter capability. In some instances the number of serviceable aircraft is reduced to token numbers.

Is it a false economy to run one’s fighter force down to such a level that the pool of skilled pilots, engineers shrinks to a level where a massive spend on training is required to bring one’s fighter capability back to life? Additionally, I imagine a lot of staff are paid to sit around and do nothing for more and more time when a force is run down and the number of serviceable aircraft reduces over a period of time. This is not a very clever way for an air force to spend its funds. Of course it might be possible to dispense with the services of staff who are not needed but then if the government decides to revive the country’s fighter force, it will have to pay to train new personnel.

I am sure others could outline many other problems stemming from underfunding of one’s fighter force.

So what’s the best approach (including financially)

(a) carry on a shoe string operation until the government funds the fighter force again (possibly very expensive in terms of bangs per buck)
(b) shut the force down and start again later (as the UK will be doing with F35 use on carriers)