US E-11A BACN crashes near Ghanzi, Afghanistan

[Baz]

Other platforms can provide some of the relay/bridging functions though;  example TDL (J & F/J series) relaying, use of JREAP, BLOS comms.

BACN has some capabilities beyond that, which is it's primary purpose.  It acts as a gateway between ground based EPLRS and related airborne (F-16 and A-10) SADL to Link-16; ie it's an interface between the ground types and the Link-16.  It also is an interface between Army comms such SINCGARS and other voice comms.

 

[Eye In The Sky]

Which is why I specifically used words like "some" and "example".  8)