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I have participated in quite a few unforgettable missions in my
career but nothing comes close to the 40-minute flight I was a part
of last week.
It started by a chance visit of a historic
aircraft, the C-54 Skymaster. The aircraft played a huge role in the
Berlin Airlift, which was a mission that saved nearly 2.4 million
Germans from the Soviet-controlled East Berlin in the late 1940s.
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September 9, 2016 - A C-54E Skymaster named “Spirit of Freedom”
sits on the tarmac at the Great Falls International Airport. The
Spirit of Freedom is a flying museum being flown all over the
country by members of the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation to
help raise awareness of the Berlin Airlift. The airlift was a
mission that saved nearly 2.4 million Germans from the
Soviet-controlled East Berlin in the late 1940s and this is one of
the only flight-worthy C-54s remaining in the world. (U.S. Air Force
photo by Tech. Sgt. Chad Thompson)
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Berlin Airlift
After World War II, Germany was
divided into four zones—the leaders of Great Britain, the
United States and Soviet Union all took part in the
decision—creating what post-war Germany looked like. As
months passed, tensions rose between western Allies and the
Soviet Union, and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin sought to
keep control over Berlin.
According to the
Office of the
Historian website, the crisis started on June 24, 1948, when
Soviet forces blockaded rail, road and water access to
Allied-controlled areas of Berlin. America and Britain responded by
airlifting food and coal into Berlin from Allied airbases in western
Germany.
The C-54 was used in many of the missions into
Berlin and at the height of the campaign, one aircraft landed every
45 seconds delivering vital supplies to Tempelhof
Airport.
Spirit of Freedom
This aircraft, named
“Spirit of Freedom,” is one of the few flight-worthy C-54s remaining
in the world today. It is now a flying museum being flown all over
the country by members of the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation.
The foundation's mission according to their website, is dedicated to
preserving the memory and the legacy of the greatest humanitarian
and aviation event in history.
It was absolutely
awe-inspiring being able to walk through this museum and delve into
the rich history of what missions this aircraft has flown—from being
one of the first aircraft used by the president as Air Force One to
one of the famous flyers the “Candy Bomber” used to drop chocolate
bars over Germany throughout the Berlin Airlift—I was literally
standing inside a piece of Air Force history.
Great Falls AFB
Another interesting fact I learned during this visit was
Malmstrom, then referred to as Great Falls Air Force Base, also
played a critical role in assuring the success of the Berlin
Airlift.
Officials selected the base as the only replacement
aircrew training site for Berlin Airlift-bound C-54s, activating the
517th Air Transport Wing. Using radio beacons, Great Falls AFB was
transformed to resemble Tempelhof Airport in Berlin, Germany.
Hundreds of pilots and flight engineers, many of whom were recalled
to active duty, were qualified on the C-54 aircraft and flight
procedures to and from Berlin by practicing ground mock-ups and
flying simulated airlift missions.
Historic flight
During the visit I also found out that the Spirit of Freedom crew
was going to make a historic pass over the Malmstrom and take the
exact route used as the training run for the airlift.
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September 9, 2016 - A C-54E Skymaster named “Spirit of Freedom”
flies over Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana. The Spirit of Freedom
flew a historic route that C-54 pilots and crews used for training
in preparation for the Berlin Airlift. (U.S. Air Force
photo by Tech. Sgt. Chad Thompson)
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The rumble of the engines as this old prop plane started
was like stepping back in time. The call sign, Candy Bomber,
was heard throughout the fuselage as pilot and founder of
the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation, Timothy Chopp,
finished pre-flight checks and prepared to get underway.
As I peered out the window, I saw one of the aircraft crewchiefs salute as we rolled down the tarmac.
We lined up and were given clearance to take off. The historic
flight began.
I couldn't help but flashback and get lost in
the first few moments, having spent time in Germany prior to getting
here I knew much about the history of World War II but until that
moment I never really felt like I was a part of it.
Having a
background in aircraft maintenance, I know the work that goes into
maintaining F-16s and A-10s but I'm sure something as old as this
has its own challenges. Seeing an aircraft that I worked on takeoff
was a thrilling experience and after a few years of being away from
a base with an active flightline you kind of miss that sound and
that feeling.
Nevertheless, the flight was flawless and the
bird's-eye view of the base was spectacular. Being a part of this
historic flight and having the chance to take a glimpse back in time
is something I will remember for the rest of my life.
By U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Chad Thompson
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2016
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