"Kevin Brooks" wrote

I suspect you are right about the E-8, but not-so-right about the RC-135 and
U-2; the first has no real use for ground mapping radar and does not have
such a capability, while the second is far from being limited to using just
SLAR. The RC-135 is undoubtedly there to keep OBL from using any handy
radios, cell phones, and the like; the U-2 can also do some of that, and
provide photo coverage with realtime feeds to users and analysts.

I don't know much about the RC, other than the one that nearly mounted us as
we were in formation for a tanker during pre-contact at a Green Flag :-) One
of the problems with triangulation (even the super-duper kind) in the mountains
is what is called multi-path. Search and rescue have a lot of experience with
this bad effect, and that's with people who *want* to be found.

It's going to be a tough job, but you need that aerial team, to compliment the
gomers sweeping the grass, and running their dogs.