As ususal, you bring up some very good points and observations, C7.
It did boggle my mind a bit when I read the article about, supposedly, no one being rescued as a result of using a signal mirror.
However, I can not dispute the fact that if the US Military feels there is a good reason to have one, it should make sense.
I do recall an episode of "Sky King" where somone used a mirror to signal him in his plane, The Songbird if I remember correctly.
Boy, am I dating myself.

Thanks for the feedback.