16 February 1945

With their precious cargo aboard, the aircraft of the 317th Troop Carrier Group, under the command of Lt. Col John Lackey,  line up on Mindoro to depart for Corregidor. Each lift on the 16th February consisted of 51 C-47's, and the expectation was that 43 aircraft would be provided for the jump the following day, with a re-supply mission to be scheduled for that afternoon.