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Berlin Airlift Remembrance ceremony, 65 years

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Christopher Ruano
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany --  The 65th anniversary commemorating the beginning of the Berlin Airlift was held at the Berlin Airlift Memorial in Frankfurt, Germany June 26, 2013.

Frankfurt officials thanked guests for coming to the ceremony.

"I'm very happy to express the official greetings of the city of Frankfurt in the name of the magistrate, in the name of the municipal assembly," said Uwe Becker, Frankfurt city treasurer.

On June 24, 1948, the Soviet Union halted all supplies into the city of West Berlin from Allied Forces. In response, the allies had to think of a plan to supply the city with food, water and fuel. That is when "Operation Vittles" known today as the Berlin Airlift was started.

This logistical feat carried in more than 3,000 tons of supplies per day to the people of Berlin; however, the United States and its allies were more than up for the task. More than 5,000 tons of supplies were delivered to Berlin a day and by the end of the operation that number reached 8,000.

It was clear that the Soviet Union blockade of West Berlin had failed. On May 12, 1949, the blockade was lifted and the roads, canals and railway routes were reopened.

The event featured several guest speakers such as Peter Schmitz, Frankfurt Airport Director of operations and special guest speaker Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Gail Halvorsen, known to Berliners during the Berlin Airlift as "The Berlin Candy Bomber."

"This chapter of the early operation in the Cold War remarkably strengthened the German - American relationship as it was at this time and still is an impressive commitment for the defense of freedom of West Berlin and with this the freedom of all our country of Germany." said Becker.

Halvorsen spoke to the people at the ceremony thanking the Germans and telling his story of how he became known as the "Mr. Wiggly Wings" and the "Candy Bomber" to the kids of West Berlin.

"The children were so grateful, not one would say 'gimmie', makes you want to do more. Two sticks of gum is all I had they broke it in half four pieces, I thought there would be a fight but there wasn't," said Halvorsen. "These children were so grateful they would not ask for more than freedom."

Upon his return to his seat the audience gave him a standing ovation.

"The Berlin Airlift showed the dedication of the United States to the massive humanitarian airlift operation," said Col. David Julazadeh, 52nd Fighter Wing commander. "It was truly an amazing logistical aeronautical feat. It was really the first step in establishing the trans-Atlantic bridge."

The event included a musical performances by Class 5c of the Musterschule the Bundeswehr Orchestra. Children also presented Halvorsen candy for feeding the West Berliners during the Berlin airlift.