40 Hong-9D bombers divided into two plane groups, all took off in the afternoon. After meeting up with large early warning aircraft and electronic reconnaissance aircraft arranged by the Air Force, they flew east at economical cruising speed for four hours, arriving in the Northwest of Transfer Island around 10 p.m. local time.
Prior to this, the sixty-first Special Mixed Fleet had already maneuvered in that direction.
Soon after nightfall, the sixty-first Special Mixed Fleet dispatched 2 Zhi-6C and 8 War-9B, divided into two formations heading to the designated standby airspace to provide cover for the Air Force bombers. According to plan, they would launch the attack only after receiving orders.
To support this, the Air Force specially arranged a squadron of 8 Oil-20D to provide operational support.
The value of large tanker aircraft is vividly demonstrated here.
