The Berlin Airlift, which took place from 1948 to 1949, was a significant event during the Cold War, representing the first major crisis in post-World War II Europe. When the Soviet Union blockaded West Berlin in an attempt to force the Allies out of the city, the Western powers initiated an extensive airlift to supply food, fuel, and other essentials to the isolated residents. The airlift demonstrated the resolve of the United States and its allies to counter Soviet aggression. It solidified the divide between East and West, symbolizing the broader ideological struggle of the Cold War and showcasing the impact of air power in sustaining freedom.