Hessen, Germany

The Berlin Air Lift, "Operation Vittles", started here in 1948 with USAAF C-47 and C-54 cargo planes flying supplies into the now-closed Berlin-Templehof airport. Rhein-Main Air Base joined as the main C-54 depot, and the British flew missions from several bases in the Hamburg area. France joined the airlift later.

The southern half of the field was originally the Rhein-Main Air Base, which was the main hub for U.S. military airlifts in and out of Europe (it closed in 2005). It was also one of the main departure points for the Berlin Airlift, serving as the principal C-54 depot.

Like many things in Germany, this airport was efficient. Visited it in 1991, first time on the Continent, and I was shocked to see peach-fuzz faced boys in uniform casually holding Uzis, leaning against a wall keeping an eye on everyone.

I was disappointed not to get a stamp on my Canadian passport, as the customs officials just waved us through, possibly glancing at the cover of my passport with its regal coat of arms and assuming I was British, and therefore an EU citizen.