On May 14, 2008, 12 large transport aircraft took off for the earthquake stricken areas of Sichuan Province, carrying 50 teams of medical professionals, and over 100 tons of emergency supplies.

On the previous day, despite continuous rainfall and poor visibility, the air force deployed 32 transport planes to ferry 6,800 people, and 73.9 tons of supplies and equipment. This was the highest number of sorties and flying hours clocked in a single day in the history of the air force.

During the entire earthquake rescue operation, 16 air force squadrons deployed 60 transport planes and helicopters to Sichuan, carrying 15,000 people and more than 3,000 tons of emergency supplies.