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Global mobility then and now

  • Published
  • By 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
  • 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  As you pause to recognize German-American Day Oct. 6, you should also pause to remember an event where many of today's German and American friendships were born - the Berlin Airlift. 

When Joseph Stalin isolated Berlin by cutting off ground transportation to the city, our nation's Air Force sprung into action, starting what is unquestionably the most well-known airlift campaign in history. 

From its start on June 24, 1948 to its finish May 12, 1949, the Berlin Airlift ferried over 2.3 million tons of necessary food, machinery, coal and other supplies to the city and its two million people. To complete this monumental feat, the Air Force made over 275,000 deliveries, totaling approximately 850 flights each day or one take off about every 90 seconds. 

Ironically, the Air Force's Air Mobility Command still runs at the same frequency today - around the world, an air mobility aircraft takes off every 90 seconds, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Except now, instead of sustaining the people of Berlin, it's delivering humanitarian assistance to a host of people around the world, like in recent missions to help displaced Georgians and those here on our own soil impacted by hurricanes Gustav and Ike. 

In August, Air Mobility Command was called upon to return 2,000 Georgian troops to Georgia from their deployed location in Iraq. Within 29 hours of the request being made, all 2,000 were back in their home country. 

Shortly following the return of the troops, the mission to deliver humanitarian aid began. When it was done, Air Mobility Command Airmen had delivered nearly 500 tons of relief supplies, including medical supplies, tents, blankets, cots, food and water. 

When hurricanes Gustav and Ike were poised to strike the U.S., Air Mobility Command was there to assist in the evacuation efforts, swiftly and safely evacuating nearly 7,000 Gulf Coast residents from harm's way, including nearly 750 critical-care and special needs patients, all in less than 36 hours. This was in addition to shipping more than 325 tons of cargo to the region. 

When there was conflict in Georgia or when aid needed during Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center as well as specialized teams from Scott were ready, just as they had been during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The 618th TACC coordinates an average of 900 airlift and air refueling missions each day and can seamlessly redirect aircraft to support requests for contingency or humanitarian relief operations. 

Indeed, the Air Force's commitment to helping those in need - whether halfway around the world or at home - is as strong today as it was 60 years ago. That's yet another thing worth remembering this year when you pause to recognize German-American Day.