They made their approach from 20.000 feet to avoid detection and the risk of enemy missile attack. A crewman was stationed at each door with a flare gun to shoot at incoming heatseeking missiles. If an incoming missile had been detected. the C130 pilot had orders to turn his craft toward the missile to keep its exhausts away from missile sensors. A C130 plane is equipped to carry 88 people. yet each mission lifted 250 refugees to safety. Eight attempts and eight successes almost make it sound easy. But other missions were not so fortunateon March 29 a C130 was hit by mortar fire and lost as it landed.
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refugees