A special action force has been sent on a reconnaissance mission to Maoxian, Beichuan and Wenchuan, all of which are among the areas worst-hit by the deadly quake.

A special action force has been sent on a reconnaissance mission to Maoxian, Beichuan and Wenchuan, all of which are among the areas worst-hit by the deadly quake.

The special action force，comprising 100 airmen, is heading for the quake-ravaged Maoxian county.

15 paratroopers were air-dropped at a sea level of around 4-thousand meters, a record for air force history in China. This was without any assistance from ground crew or specific landmarks.

Thanks to the fresh information from the special action force via satellite phone, The Air Force was able to deploy a large scale air-drop to Maoxian.

By eight p.m. on Thursday, around five tons of aid materials, including water and food, were air-dropped to Wenchuan County, from 5800 meters above sea level by a Il-76 Aircraft.

This is an unusual action for an Il-76 transport aircraft. It normally executes air-drops around 600 meters above sea level. But due to the geography, the air force braved the poor weather to deploy the action.

One airman said "It is indeed very difficult and dangerous for each of us. We need to make sure that all of goods are air-dropped to proper place, not too far from the scheduled places."

Despite the difficulties the air force is doing all it can to counter the disaster.

(CCTV May 17, 2008)