The Berlin Airlift, initiated in 1948, was significant during the Cold War as it showcased the conflict between the West and the Soviet Union. When the Soviet Union blockaded West Berlin in an attempt to force the Allies out, the United States and its allies conducted an extensive airlift to provide essential supplies and support to the city's residents. Over nearly a year, planes flew in food, fuel, and other necessities, highlighting Western commitment to containing communism. The successful airlift not only sustained Berlin but also underscored the ideological divide of the Cold War and solidified NATO's purpose.