Berlin airlift anniversary marked (video at source)

BBC ^

[nuconvert]

(Planes flew a distance equivalent to flying to the moon and back 63 times)

Ceremonies have been taking place in Berlin to mark the 60th anniversary of the ending of the blockade of West Berlin by Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.

In 1948, Stalin cut off all land links into West Berlin in an attempt to force out British, French and US troops.

Instead, the Western nations launched the biggest airlift in history to keep 2.25 million residents from starving.

For the next 11 months, planes landed every two minutes, bringing in total more than 2.5m tonnes of supplies.

Seventy-eight aircrew died in plane crashes during the operation.

'Hope'

Thousands of people, including dozens of American, British and French veterans, attended ceremonies at Berlin's recently closed Tempelhof Airport on Tuesday to pay tributes to those involved in the unprecedented effort.

[nuconvert]

Why am I having to read this on BBC?

[Freee-dame]

Why am I having to read this on BBC?

School chileren have been taught for more than a generation that America is an oppressor nation. We can't have people learning about any of the extremely generous things this country has done, dontcha know? /s

[ASOC]

They were celebrating the success of the US Air Force?

[Retain Mike]

My brother in law in a soon retiring Air force Lt. Col. and had a book I read about the General in charge of the operation. He turned “flying the hump” from India to China into a successful operation during WW II. Before he came the loss rate was terrible and aircraft availability was abysmal. Stalin threw in the towel when they began flying fresh strawberries into Berlin.

[Patriot Hooligan]

I consider myself very fortunate/honored to have worked with A2A Simulations since 2003. (a2asimulations.com)

The Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation turns to A2A Simulations to create the official flight training program for their Boeing C97 “Angel of Deliverance”

The Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation currently flies their Douglas C54 “Spirit of Freedom” across North America and abroad, and is in the process of bringing their beautiful Boeing C97 “Angel of Deliverance” to flying condition. The Boeing C97 is a large 4-engine, medium to long range, high altitude, and high speed military transport similar to the Boeing 377 Stratocruiser commercial transport. A2A Simulations is now partnered with the Berlin Airlift and is the official developer for their new “Accu-Simulator” which is based on the Wings of Silver Boeing 377 Stratocruiser with the Accu-Sim expansion pack for Microsoft Flight Simulator X. We support the mission of the fine people at the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation, to teach and remind the world of the true spirit of freedom.

[ASOC]

Lt Gen Tunner set up the basis for the Military Airlift COmmand in his work with the airlift.

(http://www.spiritoffreedom.org/airlift.html)

His boss was none other than Gen Curtis LeMay!