The United States responded to the Soviet blockade of Berlin by launching the Berlin Airlift. Starting in June 1948, American and British planes flew supplies into West Berlin to sustain the city's residents, who were cut off from the outside world by the Soviet blockade. Over the course of the airlift, more than 2 million tons of food, fuel, and other supplies were delivered to Berlin, demonstrating the determination of the United States and its allies to support West Berlin against Soviet aggression. The Berlin Airlift was a major Cold War operation and helped to solidify the relationship between the United States and its European allies.
