June 26, 1948: United States begins the Berlin Airlift in response to Russian blockade of Western ground access to West Berlin. Together with the Royal Air Force, the U.S. Military Air Transport Command would transport over 2.3 million tons of food, coal and other supplies into Berlin via air by the time the airlift ceased on September 30, 1949.
Hearts and Minds: Douglas C-54 Skymaster drops candies to the children of West Berlin on mini-parachutes during its approach to Tempelhof Airport.