Crew: Two pilots, one navigator, two airborne systems engineers, and a minimum of 10 electronic warfare officers (flight crew from 45th RS) and six or more mission area specialists The RC-135U ...

China had protested what it called "close-in reconnaissance" of Chinese territory by the U.S. military in the past.

The U.S. Air Force RC-135 is a family of reconnaissance airframes, which included the RC-135S Cobra Ball, the RC-135U Combat Sent, and the RC-135V Rivet Joint. These aircraft are deployed to Kadena ...