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The solution was simple.
Miranda was a little surprised the others didn’t see it. Perhaps they hadn’t made as intense a study of the world’s airports as she had.
Based on the loading of the Antonov, especially if it wasn’t loaded to full fuel, taking off in a mile at sea level was easily achieved.
Also, it was March in the northern Pacific, so the colder-hence-denser air was better for lift.
At her direction, they took on just sufficient fuel at Rishiri to fly the eighteen hundred miles to Attu Island. The abandoned US Coast Guard station lay at the extreme end of the Aleutian Island chain.
Several KC-130J tankers flew out to Attu Island to meet them. They were told a Russian plane had gotten in trouble and they were to assist its safe return. Holly's crew had stayed aboard the An
