C-17 Globemaster III dedicated in honor of 'Candy Bomber,' Berlin Airlift

Kicking off a two-day celebration honoring the life and legacy of Col. Gail Halvorsen, the "Candy Bomber," the Air Mobility Command commander joined friends, family and guests in Provo, May 20, to dedicate a Joint Base Charleston-based C-17 Globemaster III as the "Spirit of the Candy Bomber."

Beloved by Germans and Americans alike, Halvorsen was known for dropping candy via mini-parachutes from his C-54 Skymaster to German children during the Berlin Airlift from 1948 to 1949. Halvorsen died Feb. 16, at the age of 101, after a lifetime of service and inspiring the generations that followed behind him.

Gen. Mike Minihan, AMC commander, reflected on Halvorsen's act of kindness and how it inspired an AMC tradition of delivering hope … always.

U.S. Air Force Gen Mike Minihan, Air Mobility Command commander, stand with the crew of the C-17 Globemaster III that was renamed to — Gen. Mike Minihan, Air Mobility Command commander, along with Col. Gail Halvorsen's family members, unveil the renaming of a C-17 Globemaster III to "Spirit of the Candy Bomber" in Provo, Utah, May 20, 2022. Halvorsen went down in history for his selfless acts during the Berlin Airlift in 1948 and 1949. Then-Lt. Halvorsen took it upon himself to help boost the morale of the children in West Berlin by attaching handkerchief parachutes to chocolate bars and dropping them from his aircraft to the children below. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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