The Start of the Berlin Airlift
Berlin became the first front line of The Cold War, and the US Air Force – then only nine-months-old, was in charge of keeping those in Berlin alive while also keeping the Cold War from turning hot. In late June of 1948, the Berlin Airlift began. With it, US Air Force C-47 Skytrains and C-54 Skymasters were delivering milk, flour, and medicine to the people of West Berlin.
C-54 Skymaster. Photo by George Elam / Associated Newspapers / Shutterstock
During the blockade, US and British aircraft delivered over 2.3 million tons of supplies. At the height of the Berlin Airlift, planes were landing every three minutes, carrying up to 13,000 tons of food, coal, and medicine per day, according to the Air Force Historical Support Division. Gail Halvorsen was one of the pilots involved in the mission.