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.
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.