Toward the end of May 1991, with famine and revolution
at the doorstep of Ethiopia's capital, the IAF airlifted nearly 15,000
Jewish men, women, and children in 41 sorties. Less than 24 hours
separated the first takeoff from the last.
IAF Boeing 707's and Hercules C-130's flew a total
of 30 missions. El Al placed 10 of its cavernous carriers under IAF
control. Each of the national airline's wide-bodied aircraft seemed
to swallow a sea of immigrants, speeding their return to Zion. IAF Commander
Maj. Gen. Avihu Ben-Nun remarked that "the operation demonstrated
that the air force can not only bomb, but perform humanitarian missions
as well".