 Bad weather over northern Australia prevented participation by the bombers there , which left Walker with only those based at Port Moresby : six B @-@ 17s and six B @-@ 24s . This force was far too small for the tactics that he wanted to use . He flew in the lead plane , B @-@ 17 # 41 @-@ 24458 , nicknamed " San Antonio Rose I " , from the 64th Bombardment Squadron , 43rd Bombardment Group , which was piloted by Lieutenant Colonel Jack W. Bleasdale , the group 's executive officer . The 64th Bombardment Squadron 's commanding officer , Major Allen Lindberg was also on board . The briefing officer for the mission , Major David Hassemer , did not think that it was a good idea for so many senior officers to fly in the same plane , but his objection was overruled . 
