Operation Big Lift October 1963

USAFE conducted a major transatlantic airlift exercise in October of 1963, known as Operation BIG LIFT to demonstrate that US forces could rapidly deploy to support our #NATO allies. In this exercise, USAFE played an integral role by controlling the airspace, receiving forces, and supporting deployed forces. In a display of air power, the Military Airlift Transport Service ferried over 15,000 soldiers and one million pounds of equipment from the 2d Armored Division to USAFE bases in Germany and France, while Tactical Air Command deployed combat and reconnaissance units. Operation BIG LIFT demonstrated the US military’s ability to quickly support our NATO allies with a surge of forces and materiel in the event of a crisis. BIG LIFT paved the way for the REFORGER exercises of the 1970s and 1980s that continued US commitment to the defense of our European allies and partners.