THE BERLIN AIRLIFT
ABOUT THE BERLIN AIRLIFT REMEMBRANCE ALLIANCE
ABOUT THE BERLIN AIRLIFT REMEMBRANCE ALLIANCE
The Berlin Airlift was one of the most complex times in history. When the Russians land blockaded the City of West Berlin on June 26th 1948; 2.4 million people were left with nothing but water. The United States and Great Britain responded with an airlift of life’s essentials from bases in West Germany into the city deep in the Russian Zone of a divided Germany. Soon cargo aircraft were landing in West Berlin every three minutes continuing for 15 months. It ended on September 30th 1949 gaining the freedom that the citizens had endured hardships to achieve. 32 Americans and 38 British servicemen, plus several Germans died during aircraft related incidents.
The mission of the Berlin Airlift Remembrance Alliance will be to emphasize the achievement of the successful Berlin Airlift of 1948 & 1949 and keep its history alive thru the 75th Diamond Jubilee Anniversary and beyond. This Alliance will be comprised of likeminded organizations and persons that recognize the success of the Berlin Airlift and what that success has provided by stopping communism expansion in Western Europe. We will honor the memory of the 32 American, 38 Commonwealth and 8 German fatalities and share the Berlin Airlift story in celebration, events, media and live presentations. The Alliance members will also be a source for information of the times and events of 1945 through 1950 relating to the Berlin Airlift in Germany.
MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS
BERLIN AIRLIFT HISTORICAL FOUNDATION
(BAHF) Flies the last C-54 registered in the U.S. Named the “Spirit of Freedom”. This is a flying museum with artifacts, photos and displays of the airlift. Uniformed, knowledgeable crew members aboard will answer questions about this world changing event. They also have the worlds’ only flying C-97 “ Stratofreighter”, an aircraft that served the air force into the 1970’s, but was proven in the Berlin Airlift.
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BERLIN AIRLIFT VETERANS ASSOCIATION
(BAVA) Their member are Berlin Airlift veterans or their descendants and friends. They have a quarterly newsletter with a yearly reunion
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GAIL S HALVERSON FOUNDATION
Dedicated to the humanitarian principles of Colonel Gail Halvorsen, the “Berlin Airlift Candy Bomber”. Their plan is to build an aviation center for the Civil Air Patrol at the Spanish Forks Utah Airport. Also see “Candy Bomber” on YouTube.
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317 VETERANS GROUP
One of the C-54 squadrons that flew the airlift continues its heritage from Dyess AFB TX with the Air Mobility Command flying C-130-J aircraft worldwide. With a large membership they have a quarterly newsletter and a yearly reunion.
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COLD WAR MUSEUM
This was founded in 1996 by Gary Powers Jr. the son of the U-2 aircraft pilot shotVdown over Russia on May 1, 1961. Their goal is to educate the public on the history and significance of the Cold War and to promote Scientific, Technical, Engineering and Mathematical education (STEM) and the importance it played in the Cold War. This is located in Fairfax, VA on a former Army Nike missile site.
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BURTONWOOD ASSOCIATION
Over 1500 Berlin Airlift C-54 aircraft flew to RAF Burtonwood England for the 200 hour cleaning, inspection and repairs. Members are in the U.K and U.S.A. TheY have a Heritage Center at the former base in North West England and a quarterly newsletter.
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BERLIN BRATS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
These are the proud alumni of the American High School in Berlin from 1946 to 1994, when the school closed. Their parents were either military or civilians working to keep Berlin free. This is a large organization with several yearly regional luncheons around the country plus triennial reunions.
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FASSBERG BERLIN AIRLIFT MUSEUM
This active German Air Force base has a C-47 aircraft on display and a Berlin Airlift museum with an audio-visual system documenting the flights during the airlift.
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GERMAN GIRL IN AMERICA
Go to this website for the recipes and you’ll stay for the German Heritage and history. Karen’s parents were children in 1945 when they were forced from their home in Silesia. Her website is a sweet mix of German goodies with stories about Germany.
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ALLIED MUSEUM IN BERLIN
A team of professionals from the fields of history, museum studies, museum education, administration, architectural engineering, exhibition design and facility management with many years of experience in museums. working to honor the contributions of the Allies to Berlin and Germany as a whole and spread the message of freedom, democracy and international cooperation as guarantors of lasting peace.
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CHECKPOINT CHARLIE ASSOCIATION
The museum was founded and built up on the free civic initiative of Dr. Rainer Hildebrandt. The opening took place on June 14, 1963.
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