Phoenix Rally celebrates 60th Anniversary of Berlin Airlift

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stephenie Wade
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) --  Air mobility leaders gathered for the annual Phoenix Rally to acknowledge past and present accomplishments while celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift March 24 through 28 here. 

The theme of Phoenix Rally was "A legacy of global reach and hope," chosen to recognize the Air Mobility Command's past, present and future. 

At this year's conference, attendees acknowledge the historical accomplishments of Berlin Airlift along with special guest, retired Col. Gail Halvorsen, the Berlin Candy Bomber. 

"This year is special because we are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift," said Gen. Arthur J. Lichte, the commander of Air Mobility Command. "The Berlin Airlift represents the roots for which our Air Force was built; especially Air Mobility Command." 

The airlift began in 1948 in Germany when the Soviet Union blockaded Berlin, which left 2 million residents without a way to import food or supplies they needed to survive. The only available supply for the city was by air. The United States, British and French armed forces came together to deliver food, medicine and other supplies in what became known as Operation Vittles. 

"During Operation Vittles, we delivered more than 2,000 tons of food a day into Berlin," Colonel Halverson said. 

In the colonel's first cargo delivery into Tempelhof Airport Berlin, the German crew unloaded 20,000 pounds of flour. The German crew that unloaded the aircraft set the tone for the operation. 

"The lead man came toward the cockpit unable to speak our language," the colonel said. "His expression said it all. He looked at the bag of flour and then at us like we were angels from heaven. People were hungry for food and freedom. We were giving them both and they were most grateful." 

American Airmen delivered cargo to Berlin at a rate of one aircraft every three minutes. The sky was crowded with aircraft making flying hazardous. 

"Seven people died within the first two months," he said. 

A turning point occurred on Good Friday when then-Maj. Gen. William H. Tunner developed a plan on how the pilots would enter and exit Berlin to prevent further aircraft crashes. The solution was a three-runway system with two runways, entering on the right and the left of the city. In the middle, there was an exit runway where aircraft merged to exit. 

On the ground, Berliners waited to hear the roar of the engines. That signaled the aircraft and their lifesaving loads. They waited along the runway and gates for the supplies. 

"During one of my breaks I saw a group of children standing near a fence and sparked a conversation with them," Colonel Halvorsen said. 

He wanted to offer the children some gum but didn't have enough to go around, so he split it into as many pieces as he could. Although there wasn't enough for all the children, some of the children were simply happy to just smell the gum wrapper. Colonel Halvorsen said that touched his heart and he promised the children he would come back with more candy for them. 

"They asked, 'How they would know it was me?' I told them I would wiggle the wings of the aircraft as I was flying by. From there on I was known as 'Uncle Wiggle Wings,'" he said. 

Colonel Halvorsen tied handkerchiefs to candy so they would float to the waiting children. He said in the beginning, the pilots used their ration cards to get candy for the children. Later on, the public got word of what he was doing for the children and candy was donated too.  

"The Berlin Airlift set the standards for which the Air Mobility Command operates today," General Lichte said. "Back then, we had aircraft landing every three minutes and today we have aircraft taking off every 90 seconds. All around the world, AMC Airmen and aircraft continue to bring hope to those in need." 

Without the aircraft mechanics who changed engines in the middle of the night and the ground control radar operators, there would have not been as many planes available and the mission could not have been compromised. But everyone pulled together for a good cause. The Berlin Airlift lasted a total of 15 months. 

"The Berlin Airlift was the first confrontation of the Cold War and it brought success without a single shot being fired," General Lichte said. "It is one of the most remarkable rescue missions of the 20th century."

"This story is about all of you, not just a story about long ago. Really it's a story about today," said Robert Frye, a Berlin Airlift documentary producer. 

Today the Air Force uses a KC-135 Stratotanker to transfer cargo, fuel and passengers, similar to the tasks conducted in 1948. The average age of the KC-135 fleet is 47 years old, almost as old as the Air Force itself. 

The Berlin Airlift is a significant piece of Air Force history; setting the standard for which the Air Force still upholds, Colonel Halvorsen said. "Today Air Mobility Command travels faster, farther and with a greater load. But one thing hasn't changed since 1948: The Airmen and their attitudes. They continue to exemplify integrity, service before self and excellence in all we do." 

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