Brigadier General Wentworth Goss, commanding general of the 1602nd, was appointed as commanding officer for this task force. Goss assembled a team of 209 personnel, 80 officers and 129 enlisted members, to operate and maintain the 12 Douglas C-54 Skymaster aircraft that would be ferrying the pilgrims. Except for a small team of two officers and two airmen in Jeddah, the entire team would be based out of the Beirut airport.
Goss’ plan called for each C-54 to carry 50 passengers plus double crew from Beirut to Jeddah, on a route that would take them over Damascus, Syria, Amman, Jordan and a point on the Red Sea just north of Jeddah. This circuitous route was required because Israel would not grant overflight permission due to the nature of the operation. Flying time was five hours. (USAF Image)