 The Enola Gay's mission starts from Tinian in the Marianas. The crew has had their final briefing on weather and air sea rescue. Only yesterday they have been told of the true power of the weapon they are to carry. The massive bomb has been loaded. At 2.45 in the morning, August 6, 1945, Colonel Tibbets takes the Enola Gay down the runway into the air, beginning the six and one half hour flight to Japan. Over Iwo Jima, they begin the slow climb to bombing altitude. At 8.15, a weather plane reports from Hiroshima that conditions are good. Two tenths lower and middle, and two tenths at 15,000 feet. As they approach the target area, the weapon is checked for the last time. At 9.11, 31,000 feet over Hiroshima, the Enola Gay begins the bomb run. At 9.15, the bomb is dropped. The aircraft banks away at high speed. Just 50 seconds later, 15 miles from ground zero, the Enola Gay is rocked by the blast.