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Vice chief, legendary pilot commemorate 60th anniversary of Berlin Airlift

  • Published
BERLIN (AFPN) --  Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Duncan J. McNabb and legendary airlift pilot retired Col. Gail Halvorsen participated in a commemorative panel discussion of the Berlin Airlift May 27 in Berlin. The Air Force Association sponsored the panel to highlight the historic importance of the mission and feature the critical role of airlift in past, present and future operations.

"The Berlin Airlift was a seminal moment for airpower and a pivotal event in world history," said General McNabb. "It showed the deep compassion of the American people and sent a message of hope and liberty to Berliners and to freedom-loving people around the world."

The Berlin Airlift, which lasted more than 15 months, was the sole life-line to West Berlin after the Soviet Union blockaded the city. U.S. and United Kingdom aircraft supplied Berlin with necessities from food to coal.

Colonel Halvorsen became known as the "Candy Bomber" because he airdropped chocolate and chewing gum to the children of Berlin. The colonel emphasized the Berlin Airlift's role in building strong and lasting ties between western allies, Germany and Berliners. While World War II had ended just three years prior to the Berlin Airlift, because of the operation "nations that were recently enemies would soon become good friends," he said.

In all, 31 American and 39 United Kingdom military members died during the operation. General McNabb praised Berlin Airlift veterans for their sacrifice and for pioneering modern airlift practices.

"The airlift bridge that you all fashioned is the legacy upon which our Airmen conduct operations today," he said. "Just like the 90-second departure rate during the Berlin Airlift, today every 90 seconds an Air Mobility Command aircraft departs delivering compassion to those in need in places like Myanmar and critical support to our forces in harm's way in places like Baghdad."

General McNabb also noted the airlift bridge legacy encompasses current air refueling and aeromedical evacuation bridges as well.

"Extending these bridges allows the United States to conduct global operations while saving the lives of our wounded warriors by flying them to the appropriate medical facilities in Europe and in the United States within 18 hours," he said.

General McNabb also hailed Colonel Halvorsen saying "what an absolute honor it is to be sitting next to Colonel Halvorsen, a true American hero, a living legend and a rock star here in Berlin."

Colonel Halvorsen concluded his remarks by highlighting the vital efforts of Airmen on the ground.

"In my books, the real heroes were the aircraft maintainers, the logisticians and the airfield operations personnel, who worked tirelessly and often in extremely difficult conditions to accomplish the mission," he said. "The Berliners were also heroes because despite the most difficult of circumstances, they never gave up."