event in history, The Berlin Airlift.
Our Mission is to preserve this
memory by preserving several aircraft used in the great event and creating
"Flying Memorials and Classrooms" with the purpose of educating the public about
this pivotal, yet forgotten, event in world history.
Founded in 1988, the Foundation has obtained and restored
to flying condition, a Douglas C-54E transport aircraft,
which helped support the C-54's which
carried out this great mission. Named "SPIRIT OF FREEDOM", the aircraft is
painted to represent the 48th Troop Carrier Squadron, one of the many groups
which carried out the event. Inside, the "SPIRIT", is a genuine museum
dedicated to the Berlin Airlift, filled with artifacts, displays, and
information explaining this all important event in recent
history.
In 1996, the Foundation has
also taken on an even BIGGER challenge: The Boeing
C-97. This large
4-engined aircraft is one of only 2 left flying in the world today. The
Foundation purchased this aircraft in 1996, and is planning to create a flying
exhibit dedicated to the Berlin Airlift and the Cold War.
PUERTO RICO TRIP REVIEW!
The C-54 "Spirit of Freedom" safely returns from the Puerto Rico Mission
All aspects of the mission was a great success and appreciated by the good people of Puerto Rico
A sincere thank you to all patriots who supported this most important mission. Walk proudly.
The Douglas C-54 "Spirit of Freedom" departed the Orlando Sanford Airport and Starport Aviation the morning of March 22, 2011, for the six hour plus flight to the Rafael Hernandez Airport near Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, the former Ramey Air Force Base. This was the 3rd visit to Puerto Rico by the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation, having been there in 2007 and 2009 previously. Honoring the 334th Troop Carrier Squadron that flew sixteen Douglas C-54 transports from Ramey AFB to the Berlin Airlift in July of 1948, was the primary reason for our visit in 2007. Since then, the mission has expanded to include the Ramey Air Force Base Historical Association, and Military Families United, along with the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation.
C-54 Spirit of Freedom departing CGAS Borinquen (Ramey AFB) for the 2011 Puerto Rico Airshow at the Former NAS Roosevelt Roads.
As this third visit was a multi-purpose mission and quite complex in nature, I am most happy to report that the entire mission went like clockwork with all purposes for the mission fulfilled. The Open House at the US Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen was well attended, the memorial service for the Fallen Heroes went very well and was very meaningful for the attendees. The luncheon for the families of the Fallen Heroes of Puerto Rico who lost loved ones in Iraq and Afghanistan was well attended. C-54 Crewmembers gave a Berlin Airlift history presentation to the students at the Ramey School which was well received, and the Ceiba Air Show at the former Roosevelt Roads Naval Air Station on the eastern side of the island was also well attended allowing many visitors to tour the "Spirit of Freedom" and learn about the great Berlin Airlift of 1948 and 1949. Weather for the entire visit remained perfect. The C-54 returned to the US mainland on April 4th after a six hour and twenty minute flight from Ceiba, Puerto Rico, landing at the Orlando Executive Airport and Showalter Flying Service.
The purpose of this report is to let our supporting membership know we have safely returned and to say a sincere thank you to all who contributed funds to make this happen. It says a lot about the organization to be able to successfully complete this complex and costly mission during these tough economic times. Another notch to our long history of successful missions and another example that we make a good team. Thank you ever so much for caring.
We are in the process of compiling a comprehensive color report that you will receive. Due to the hundreds of photographs taken by Brian Jodice of Military Families United, it will take a few months to write the report. In the meantime, you can view a lot of the mission by visiting the YouTube page of Military Families United where many short videos were taken by Brian Jodice of Military Families United
http://www.youtube.com/user/MilitaryFamU
C-54 Spirit of Freedom arriving at the 2011 Puerto Rico Airshow at the former Naval Air Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto RIco.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!
German Ambassador Klaus Scharioth
with Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation President
Tim Chopp (at left) and Col. USAF (ret.)
Gail Halvorsen. (© German Embassy, Washington)
Timothy Chopp, founder and president of the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation, was presented with the prestigious Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany by Ambassador Klaus Scharioth on January 18, 2011 in the presence of family, friends, Airlift veterans and crew members of his "Spirit of Freedom", an historic Douglas C-54 converted into a flying Airlift museum.
In his speech, Ambassador Scharioth praised Chopp's enduring commitment to preserve for future generations the legacy of the Berlin Airlift which, through the heroic efforts of the United States and her allies, saved more than two million blockaded Berliners from hunger, cold, and communist rule. He pointed out that since the creation of the New Jersey-based Airlift Foundation in 1988, Tim Chopp and his Spirit of Freedom have brought the story of one of the greatest humanitarian relief efforts of all time and of the lasting bond of friendship it created between the American and German people to countless audiences all over the United States as well as in Europe
Ambassador Klaus Scharioth awards Tim Chopp
the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic
of Germany. (© German Embassy, Washington)
Among the guests gathered for the occasion at the ambassador's residence in Washington was Colonel USAF (ret.) Gail Halvorsen, Airlift veteran and famed "candy bomber". Adding his words to Ambassador Scharioth’s, he reminded the audience of how this remarkable relief operation and the deeply felt gratitude of the Berliners forever changed the relations between the former enemies, and how the Berlin Airlift continues to stand out as a monument to the guiding principle of "service before self".
To end the ceremony on a lighter note, childhood friend and long-time flight crew member Danny Urbaniak gave some humorous insights into Tim Chopp’s resilience, resourcefulness, and his outstanding negotiating skills. He pointed out that the "Spirit of Freedom" had often taken off with just enough fuel in the tank for its next destination, but always managed to get enough gas for the trip home.
Ambassador Scharioth with Tim Chopp and the crew of the "Spirit of Freedom".
For more information and photos, click here
The Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation is a non-profit educational
group that exists to educate the public. We operate largely on donations
and continued support by dedicated volunteers. Without your support, these
aircraft will be scrap metal, and a great defining chapter in history will be
gone. The Foundation is listed in IRS Publication 78 as a 501(c) (3) tax exempt charity. The Foundation tax exempt
documents are available for public inspection upon request by writing to the
Foundation at P.O. Box 782 Farmingdale, NJ 07727
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Supporting the US, British and other Troops conducting
"Operation Iraqi Freedom"
Come Home Soon!
For General Email and Inquiry: info@spiritoffreedom.org
For Aircraft Availability and Event
Booking:
scheduling@spiritoffreedom.org
This site hosted by
Mid-Atlantic Aviation on the Web
Created by: Pavan Mohan, Student, J.P. Stevens High School, Edison NJ - Kevin Kearney, Teacher, J.P. Stevens High School, Edison NJ