on january 25 , around 7 pm, the attack on gao airport began with the striking of fighter planes against six buildings and two btr-60 armored vehicles that were destroyed. then at 0.50 am, two puma helicopters dropped off about 10 cap-10 soldiers to assess the runway 13. gao airport is not defended by the jihadists, however, the latter have abandoned on the track of the pt-76 light tank carcasses, hoping to prevent any landing. despite this, a space is identified as sufficient to allow the aircraft of the poitou squadron to land. within minutes, and despite the darkness, the dust and the carcasses of the armored vehicles, three c-160 transall aircraft and a c-130 hercules aircraft made an assault landing and managed to land men and equipment before taking off again. the french commandos are then in control of the airport without having to fight, to their surprise they find that the jihadists did not pose any trap on the spot. a few hours later, three other planes assaulted and landed 144 men of the 1st regiment of paratroopers (1st rcp). the latter take over from the special forces and take charge of the airport.