[Scan-DC] Saturday, September 15th, Dulles Day Festival

[Alan Henney]

https://www.facebook.com/events/248649962459852/

The year 2018 marks the 70th anniversary of the beginning of the Berlin
Airlift. After the Soviet military administration cut off all channels of
supply from West Germany to West Berlin on June 24th, 1948, the "Berlin
Airlift", starting on June 26th, 1948, initiated by the U.S. Air Force, the
Royal Air Force and other allied forces, provided the over two million
residents of West Berlin with food and other supplies. In total 277,569
supply flights with a combined cargo of about 2.34 million tons were
performed from June 26th, 1948 to September 30th, 1949.

Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said, "[The] Berlin Airlift [...] was not only
a logistical feat, but above all an overwhelming gesture of humanity.
Enemies became friends and occupiers became protectors. We owe a debt of
gratitude for this to this day."

The German Embassy Washington is commemorating the Berlin Airlift with an
event on Saturday, September 15th, the Open Day of the Dulles International
Airport. From 10:30 am to 4 pm visitors to the Dulles Day Festival will
have the chance to step inside a Douglas C-54 Skymaster aircraft, better
known as the "Candy Bomber". The historic aircraft is made available by the
"Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation". The cockpit and cargo bay will be
accessible. Tim Chopp, a C-54 pilot and President of the "Berlin Airlift
Historical Foundation", and additional crew members of the C-54 will be on
site to provide first-hand information. There will also be an A400M cargo
plane from the German Air Force and its crew, who will provide information
regarding the abilities of the aircraft.