Rhien Main AFB

Rhein-Main Air Base, located near Frankfurt, Germany, was established by the United States Air Force in 1945 on the site of a former German Luftwaffe base. It quickly became a crucial logistical hub during the Berlin Airlift (1948–1949), supporting relentless air operations to supply West Berlin during the Soviet blockade. Throughout the Cold War, Rhein-Main served as the “Gateway to Europe,” providing strategic airlift, transport, and refueling missions for U.S. and NATO forces. The base played a vital role in operations such as Desert Storm and humanitarian missions before its closure and return to German authorities in 2005.