Sept. 1, 1949

The end of the Airlift Taskforce

On 1 September, the Combined Air Lift Task Force (CALTF) was officially dissolved. Its Chief Commander, US General W. Tunner, returned to the USA.

Two important airfields also ceased their work for the airlift. The U.S. Airforce no longer operated flights out of Fassberg, which was located in the British zone of occupation. The airlift flights to Tegel Airfield in Berlin also stopped. As such, 1 September 1949 is seen as the visible end of the airlift, which was then closed down successively in the weeks that followed until it ceased altogether.

Photo of General Tunner at his desk. The American flag can be seen next to it. — The boss of the Combined Air Lift Task Force, General William Tunner. Copyright: Allied Museum/U.S. Air Force

A pilot standing in front of the entrance to a building at Tegel Airfield. The red tower on the building can be seen in the background. The colour photograph also shows an orange sign with the words “Tegel Airfield” on it above the entrance.