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The Week in Germany: Current Affairs

May 30, 2008

Chancellor Merkel Opens Air Show, Meets 'Candy Bomber' Halvorsen

Meeting: Chancellor Merkel and 'Candy Bomber' Halvorsen share a laugh at the ILA 2008 in Berlin in front of a historic Douglas DC-3 Dakota Rosinenbomber, or "raisin bomber", as the Germans affectionately dubbed the aircraft at the time.
© picture- alliance/dpa

German Chancellor Angela Merkel opened the 2008 International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA) at Berlin-Schönefeld Airport, where she also paid tribute to the heroes of the Berlin Airlift on its 60th anniversary.

At the May 27 inaugaural event, Chancellor Merkel greeted veteran American pilots who helped save more than 2 million people in West Berlin during the 1948/49 airlift, which the ILA 2008 is celebrating both as a crucial moment in the transatlantic partnership and a historically unique achievement in aviation and logistics.

Among these veterans was "Candy Bomber" Gail S. Halvorsen, Col. USAF (ret.), the airlift pilot who first dropped chocolate bars from tiny handcrafted parachutes to grateful Berlin children.

Gift:
Chancellor Merkel received a model Ariane 5 rocket from European Space Agency General Director Jean-Jacques Dordain.
© picture- alliance/dpa

Halvorsen was also among the long-serving pilots and military leaders, curious visitors and dedicated diplomats who celebrated the enduring German-American friendship the Berlin Airlift inspired during the 2008 Joint Service Open House at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington from May 16-18.

German Ambassador Klaus Scharioth and Halvorsen both spoke at Andrews AFB, which kicked off the "Friends Always" campaign, the joint motto of the US Department of Defense, Andrews AFB and the German Embassy for the 60th anniversary.

Candy Bomber: Gail S. Halvorsen, Col. USAF (ret.), the airlift pilot who first dropped chocolate bars from tiny handcrafted parachutes to grateful Berlin children.
© picture- alliance/dpa

At the ILA 2008, which boasted a record high number of 1,127 exhibitors from 37 countries, Berlin-Schönefeld Airport hosted a display of the latest products and services of the aerospace sector, including a spectacular program featuring airshows and aircraft displays, through June 1.

The ILA 2008 has also expanded its focus on space flight, with the European Space Agency (ESA), the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI) featuring current and future German and European space projects at the Space Pavilion.

Heroes: Chancellor Merkel greets Berlin Airlift veterans.
© picture- alliance/dpa

The German armed forces also displayed every type of aircraft in its fleet and performing military flying displays. The public got a chance to see planes like the Eurofighter, Tiger helicopter or P-3C Orion, and the MedEvac-Airbus in action. Visitors also tested their flying skills in a Eurofighter simulator supplied by EADS.

Founded in 1909, the ILA is the world’s oldest air show. It is organized jointly by the German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI) and Messe Berlin.

Crew: Gail Halvorsen, with pilot Red Millander and members of the crew of the Boeing C-17 "Spirit of Berlin", an American aircraft which was flown recently at the Andrews AFB Air Show near Washington by German pilot Lt. Col. Marc Beutler (pictured here in front left foreground).
© picture- alliance/dpa

Links:

International Aerospace Exhibition 2008

European Space Agency (ESA)

Bundeswehr (German armed forces, in German)

Andrews Air Force Base Open House Honors Heroes of the Airlift (Germany.info)

Event Pays Tribute to Berlin Airlift (washingtonpost.com)

Friends Always - the Legacy of the Berlin Airlift Lives On (Germany.info)

Berlin International Aerospace Exhibition Expects Record-Breaking Attendance in 2008 (TWIG, June 29, 2007)

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