Bellini and Cocciolone were the only members of the flight able to execute in-flight refueling, while the other 47 aircraft failed and had to abort the mission. The mission profile dictated that the operation could be performed even by a single plane, so Bellini and Cocciolone went on. Right after dropping five bombs on the target at high speed and low altitude (thanks to the terrain following radar), they dropped the external fuel tanks to get out of the area as soon as possible, but their plane was hit by Iraqi anti aircraft fire.
Bellini and Cocciolone were the only pilots capable of in-flight refueling, while the other 47 aircraft failed and had to abort their mission. The mission profile allowed for single-plane operation, so Bellini and Cocciolone continued. After dropping bombs at high speed and low altitude (aided by terrain following radar), they released external fuel tanks to quickly leave the area, but their plane was hit by Iraqi anti-aircraft fire.