There’s apparently been rumors that a backwoods Libertarian/Secessionist Militia shot it down with small arms.

And the Military is setting up a Pilot error/weather related story as a cover. Hence the kind of confused radio chatter because they aren’t quite sure what they’re officially going with yet.

Because while embarrassing. It’s less embarrassing that admitting your fancy jet got shot down by Cletus and Bubba using conventional civilian small arms.