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June 24, 1948 - Berlin, Germany (Berlin Airlift)


80-G-707099: Berlin Airlift. R5-D airlift carriers arrive at Tempelhof Air Base, Berlin, April 1949. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives photograph
Caption: 80-G-707099: Berlin Airlift. R5-D airlift carriers arrive at Tempelhof Air Base, Berlin, April 1949. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives photograph

80-G-707096: Berlin Airlift. Pilots check their positions along the corridor enroute to Berlin, Germany, 1948. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives photograph.
Caption: 80-G-707096: Berlin Airlift. Pilots check their positions along the corridor enroute to Berlin, Germany, 1948. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives photograph.

The Berlin Airlifit, also known as Operation Vittles, was initiated to offset the Soviet Union's blockade access of the United States, France, and Great Britain to their sectors of Berlin.  In November, U.S. Navy Air Transport Squadrons VR-6 and VR-8 transferred from the Pacific to Germany to aid with the airlift, flying the R5-D aircraft.  VR-3 provided flights from the United States to Europe.  The Soviet blockade ended in September 1949. 


80-G-707098: Berlin Airlift. U.S. Navy aircraft, probably a R5-D, approach Tempelhof airport runway in the fog. Note the runway between two rows of jagged buildings with a graveyard in the center. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives photograph.
Caption: 80-G-707098: Berlin Airlift. U.S. Navy aircraft, probably a R5-D, approach Tempelhof airport runway in the fog. Note the runway between two rows of jagged buildings with a graveyard in the center. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives photograph.

LC-USZ62-108143: Operation Vittles (Berlin Airlift). Bottles of fresh milk unloaded from a U.S. Air Force transport at Tempelhof Airdrome, Berlin, West Germany, 1948. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Caption: LC-USZ62-108143: Operation Vittles (Berlin Airlift). Bottles of fresh milk unloaded from a U.S. Air Force transport at Tempelhof Airdrome, Berlin, West Germany, 1948. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.

80-G-707093: Operation Vittles (Berlin Airlift). U.S. Navy air crews are briefed on a special model showing corridor routes and altitudes, April 1949. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives photograph.
Caption: 80-G-707093: Operation Vittles (Berlin Airlift). U.S. Navy air crews are briefed on a special model showing corridor routes and altitudes, April 1949. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives photograph.
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Published: Thu Apr 23 13:11:13 EDT 2020