The Berlin Airshow starts today (May 27) at the city’s Schoenefeld Airport, running through June 1. The event will include a special pavilion to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift, which remains the largest humanitarian air transport operation of all time. Included in the commemorative activities will be exhibits and daily memorial flights of two DC-3s representative of the aircraft that were the lifeline of the city between June 26, 1948 and May 12, 1949 during the Soviet Union’s land blockade of West Berlin. British and US veterans of the airlift will be on hand, including Gail Halvorsen, who became famous as the “candy bomber” for dropping small packets of candy and chocolate to German children. German Chancellor Angela Merkel will also make an appearance at the pavilion.
U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles have roared out of Barnes Air National Guard Base, Mass., for the last time. The 104th Fighter Wing’s last three F-15Cs departed the base Oct. 23 for the “Boneyard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., ending the aircraft's era on the frontlines of homeland defense.
