The F-35’s development has been fraught with controversy and setbacks. Is it fit for dogfighting? Is it good at long range battle? Is it worth the enormous price tag? Whatever the answers to these questions, the Air Force wants its airmen to stick to the script.

The military branch distributed a memo across its ranks instructing airmen on how to answer questions about the F-35. While the document is unclassified, the header says it’s for ‘Official Use Only.’

“Due to pre-2010 setbacks in the program and perceived performance setbacks, narratives have emerged in the news media stating the aircraft is too expensive, consistently behind schedule, and is not able to achieve its’ stated missions,” the document says. “Air Force communicators must be prepared to consistently confront these inaccurate narratives with explanations of the aircraft’s unique and critical contributions to the joint warfighter.”

Lt. Col. Christopher Karns, an Air Force spokesman, told the Air Force Times that the branch was hoping to clear the air and debunk widespread myths.

“Responsible dialogue is critically important,” he said. “We’re not trying to prevent people from engaging in critiques of the program. We just want to make sure that information that’s’ being put forward is the best information to make an informed judgment.”

The blog who leaked the memo to the public begs to differ. The John Q. Public Blog views the memo as dishonest damage control.

The fact the Air Force doesn’t want this guidance shared is the most revealing thing of all. Apparently, the purpose here is not so much to communicate as to distract, obfuscate, and dazzle … and dazzling is only possible if the audience hasn’t been predisposed. But with a trillion-plus dollars and the future of national defense at stake, attempts to dazzle are not just inappropriate, but irresponsible. This is a moment for transparency.

Read through the memo. Digest it. Let it simmer. What game do you think the Air Force is playing here? Drop your thoughts in the comments.