[fiftymegaton]

I didn’t know that. Thanks for the info.

I imagine military aircraft rely more on VHF than on transponders relaying their position.

So when the media reports that the pilot’s last communication was with Air Traffic Control, it may not have been with the nearest airport’s tower(likely was not), but may have been with the nearest Enroute Facility or TRACON facility. Or however they might name such similar facilities in that part of the world.

[Mark17]

So when the media reports that the pilot’s last communication was with Air Traffic Control, it may not have been with the nearest airport’s tower(likely was not), but may have been with the nearest Enroute Facility or TRACON facility. Or however they might name such similar facilities in that part of the world.

Affirmative sir. When I was in Travis AFB Tower, we simulcasted on both VHF/UHF frequencies for ground control and tower control. You can google the frequencies. They have not changed since I retired in 1987.