It is with deep sadness that the Cockpit Association bids farewell to one of the most famous pilots of the Berlin Airlift, Colonel Gail Halvorsen. He was 101 years old.
"We bow to Gail Halvorsen. With him we say goodbye to one of the great pilots who was closely associated with the Cockpit Association. His actions are still an example of reconciliation and international understanding. We will miss him," said VC President Stefan Herth. Gail Halvorsen actively supported the Cockpit Association in bringing the world conference of international pilots' associations to Berlin for the 70th anniversary of the airlift. The conference, with participants from over a hundred countries, was named "Building Bridges" in his spirit.
As a pilot of the airlift, Colonel Halvorsen was the first to start dropping candy on parachutes made of handkerchiefs for Berlin children during the approach to Berlin. His action soon led to "Operation Little Vittles", in which over 1948 tons of candy were dropped over Berlin between September 1949 and May 23. Halvorsen was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit and was, among other things, commander of the 7350th Air Base Group at Berlin's Tempelhof Airport.
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