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.
The Air Force could conduct an operation like Israel's successful air campaign against Iran's nuclear sites, military leadership and air defenses, but readiness issues would make it risky, airpower experts said. Limited spare parts and training, low mission capable rates and few flying hours would put a drag on USAF's…