Shoot Down

Inthemid-to-late90s,thousandsofCubanrefugeesattemptedtocrosstheFloridaStraitsbywhatevermeansavailable-smallboats,homemaderaftsandinnertubes.OnlyoneinfourraftersmadeittoU.S.shores,withtensofthousandsperishingatsea.AvolunteergroupbasedinMiamicalled“BrotherstotheRescue”wasformedtopatroltheStraitsinsmallcivilianaircraft,offeringaidtorafters.OnFebruary24th,1996,inthemidstofheighteningpoliticalunrestinCubaandinthewakeofarevisedU.S.policytowardCubanrefugees,theCubangovernmentauthorizedtwomilitaryfighterjetstoattackanddestroytwoofthevolunteerplanes.