The Berlin Airlift took place from June 24, 1948, to May 12, 1949. This event was a response to the Soviet blockade of West Berlin, which aimed to cut off supplies to the city in an attempt to gain control of it. In response, the United States and its allies organized a massive airlift operation to supply West Berlin with food, fuel, and other essential goods, flying in over 200,000 flights. The Airlift demonstrated the West's commitment to countering Soviet expansion and became a significant early event in the Cold War.