Berlin Airlift Veterans Association Sponsors the C-54E Spirit of Freedom Flight to Great Falls

The public is invited to view the historical C-54E Spirit of Freedom aircraft at Great Falls International Airport from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. from Sept. 7-10. The aircraft will be located on the Holman Aviation ramp. Drive ¼ mile past the passenger terminal and turn left at the intersection to reach Holman Aviation. Both the event and parking are free to the public.

The Berlin Airlift Veterans Association will be holding their annual reunion in Great Falls this week. Many of these Veterans will be returning to the community for the first time since they received flight training in Great Falls. Because the Great Falls climate and coordinates was so similar to Berlin, Germany; a flight school was located at Malmstrom Air Force Base from October 1948 until July 1949. Pilots were trained using replica buildings and a short runway similar to Tempelhof Field in central Berlin. Over 2,100 airmen were trained during his period to fly supplies to 2.4 million people in West Berlin during the 11-month land blockade by the communists.

In addition to aircraft viewing, the Berlin Airlift Veterans will also be available for a meet and greet on Thursday morning at 10am in the lobby of the Holiday Inn. Please come enjoy us and learn how Great Falls played an important role in the greatest humanitarian airlift of all time!