The mission envisions to exfiltrate a number of endangered people from Afghanistan: four Luxembourgish nationals, two Afghan residents, 17 NATO employees, Belgian diplomats, as well as several Afghans who worked and cooperated with the Benelux nations.
Read also: Luxembourg military plane departs for Kabul on WednesdayThe plane, which carries the emblem of the Luxembourg Army, is mainly operated by service members from the Belgian armed forces. Due to a lack of adequate defence equipment, the plane is not allowed to land in Afghanistan and therefore chose neighbouring Pakistan as its final destination.
Three more planes accompanied the A400M from Belgium: two lighter military planes, which can land in Kabul and thereby transport people to the larger plane in Islamabad, as well as a regular passenger plane. Aboard latter vehicle are the diplomats responsible for organising the exfiltration on the ground.
Out of security concerns, the exact number of people and their identities have not been published.
