On Monday morning, the second humanitarian mission of the national government took off of the Military Air Transport Command, which will bring more than 100 compatriots, who are in the Republic of Lebanon, to Bogota. This flight is possible thanks to the Colombian Air Force and the efforts of the Colombian Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of National Defense, following the instructions given by President Gustavo Petro.
It is estimated that more than 110 compatriots will be repatriated, including children and adolescents, as well as adults over the age of 60. The first flight of this type arrived in Colombia on October 3, with 117 Colombians coming from Beirut.
The crew made of 13 members of the FAC, is trained in this type of international missions, with military doctors on board, who have the necessary experience to provide care on board the aircraft during the flight, if necessary.
According to Brigadier General V铆ctor Alexander Celis, Commander of the Military Transport Air Command "this coordination is done with the Foreign affairs Ministry, with the Ministry of National Defense, to work to bring these people their transportation to Colombia, to be again with their families."
The aircraft, a Boeing 737-700 with registration FAC-1219, will make stops in the Dominican Republic, Portugal, Cyprus and finally in Lebanon, where Colombians will board at Beirut's Rafic Hariri International Airport.
According to Edwin Ostos, Colombian ambassador to Lebanon, the aircraft is expected to arrive in Beirut on Wednesday; the diplomat highlighted that these operations are part of a foreign policy that prioritizes people's lives and protects Colombians abroad.
This is how the national Government, the Colombian Air Force and the Foreign Ministry ratify their commitment to protect the lives of Colombians throughout the world.
Source: Press Air Command of Military Transport.