Most of Berlin's U.S. military facilities were located in the Zehlendorf District. A notable exception was an air base and related facilities in the District of Tempelhof. Until the Allies' departure, Tempelhof Air Base was divided into a U.S. military base (TCA) and another area dedicated to civil air operations. TCA was also the home of U.S. Air Force units and, during specific periods, elements of the U.S. Army's Berlin Command.
U.S. Air Force units
(overview source: -www.western-allies-berlin.com- / David)
Transport units:
301st Troop Carrier Squadron (1945-1946)
47th Troop Carrier Squadron (1946-1947)
12th Troop Carrier Squadron (1947-1948)
53rd Troop Carrier Squadron (1948-1949)
Police units:
1119th MP Company AVN, TCA, (1945-1948)
100th Complement Squadron, Army Air Force (1945-1947)
7352nd Air Police Squadron (1949)
7350th Air Police Squadron (1965-1993)
7350th Security Police Squadron (1965-1993)
Signal units:
788th AAF Base Unit (1947-1948)
1946th Air Com. Squadron (1948-1953)
1946th AACS SQ/Com. Squadron (1954-1993)
HQ & Support & units:
473rd Air Service Group (1945-1946)
715th Air Material Group (1945-1946)
891st Air Engineer Squadron (1945-1946)
808th Air Engineer Squadron (1946-1947)
632nd Air Material Squadron (1947)
HQ & Base Service Squadron (1947)
Tempelhof Base Unit (1947)
7351st Maintenance & Support Squadron (1948-1949)
7350th Air Base Group (1948-1993)
-Air Traffic Control Operations (AT)
-6912th Electronic Security Group (ESG)
-7025th Air Postal
Detachment 2, 435th Operations Group (1993-1994)
Detachment 1, 435th Air Wings (1993-1994)
Together with Tegel airport, Tempelhof was an important component of West Berlin's Cold War freedom. During that period, many Berliners could travel to and from the City via air -only-. Communist East German police patrolling Soviet Zone autobahns between Checkpoints Alpha and Bravo sometimes apprehended innocent West Berlin ground travelers. It must not be forgotten that during those times West Berlin was a small island of freedom in a communist totalitarian sea. Over 250,000 Soviet troops were stationed in East Germany. Fortunately, Soviet forces generally respected Allied Berlin air corridors between West Berlin and the BUNDESREPUBLIK.
- TCA before 1945 -
First mention of Tempelhof dates back to the reign of Friedrich Wilhelm I (1721) when the field saw numerous colorful military parades by the Royal Guard Corps. In 1909, Wilbur and Orville Wright demonstrated their first motor-powered flying machine at Tempelhof Air field. The field was converted for full time use as a civil air facility in 1922. The ZENTRALFLUGHAFEN had an advantage of central location just minutes from the heart of Berlin and quickly became one of the world's busiest airports. Tempelhof saw its greatest pre-war days during 1938-1939 when more than 52 foreign and 40 domestic aircraft arrived and departed daily.
The air terminal was laid out in its present form in 1934-39 according to drawings by Ernst Sagebiel. Adolf Hitler, himself, planned the world's largest building (today fourth only to the Pentagon in Washington, DC, Houston's Johnson Space Center, and the former World Trade Center) as a headquarters for DEUTSCHE LUFTHANSA, the German commercial airline. As a forerunner of today's modern airports, the building was designed with many unique features including giant arc-shaped hangers for aircraft parking. Although under construction for more than ten years, it was never finished because of World War II.
The building complex was designed to resemble an eagle in flight with semicircular hangers forming the bird's spread wings. A mile long hanger roof was to have been laid in tiers to form a stadium for spectators at air and ground demonstrations. Tempelhof was not employed as a military air base during World War II but LUFTWAFFE night fighters occasionally made emergency landings on the field. In 1944 the Nazi government took desperate measures to build helicopters and FW-190 fighter aircraft in Tempelhof's underground tunnels. Over the years, many tales and fairy tales have arisen regarding those underground facilities. Aircraft engines were trucked to Tempelhof and joined to finished airframes.
- TCA after WW II -
The Soviet Army took the base in May 1945 following a fierce battle with LUFTWAFFE troops. Tempelhof's German commander, Colonel Rudolf Boettger, refused to carry out orders to blow up the base; instead he killed himself after destroying important records, including FW-190 production figures. Following entry of U.S. Forces into Berlin, Tempelhof came under control of the European Air Transport Service which, on 1 September 1945, initiated regular flight schedules to cities in continental Europe and England. On 20 December 1947 operation of the base was transferred to the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE).
As Soviet restrictions on land travel to and from West Berlin tightened, activities at Tempelhof steadily increased and West Berlin began to depend more and more on air power as a means of transportation and providing necessities to the City. On 1 April 1948, USAFE C-47s began a 24 hour schedule between Tempelhof and Rhein-Main Air Base in West Germany. The unofficial blockade was temporarily eased on 6 April as trains and motor vehicle traffic was allowed. The period of relaxed restrictions was brief, though, and on 20 June 1948 around-the-clock flying began once more. The Combined Airlift Task Force, known as "Operation Vittles" came into existence on 26 June 1948 when the Berlin Airlift (BERLINER LUFTBRUECKE) began in earnest.
Berlin air terminals used for the Airlift were Tempelhof in the American Sector, Gatow in the British Sector and Tegel (which was actually built during the Airlift) in the French Sector. Two additional Tempelhof runways were constructed during the blockade; completed in September and October 1948. During the Airlift, U.S. and RAF plans carried 2,343,301 tons of cargo into Berlin and logged 109,228,502 air miles. Of this amount 67 percent was coal, 24 percent food, and 9 percent miscellaneous items. During this period, 83,045 tons of cargo were flown out of Berlin along with 56,144 British and 37,325 U.S. passengers.
Heroes like the famous retired USAF Colonel Gail S. Halvorsen were "born." His nicknames were "The Chocolate Flyer," "Uncle Wiggle Wings," and "The Raisin Bomber" (ROSINEN-BOMBER). Halvorsen became famous for dropping sweets, suspended on tiny parachutes, for Berliner kids.
The Soviet blockade of Berlin was officially lifted 12 May 1949 and in August Airlift operations began a phase-out period which lasted until the Airlift Task Force disbanded on 1 October 1949. The last Berlin Air Lift flight on that final day was the 279,114thinto the beleaguered City.
The whole operation "VITTLES" had cost the British seven and the Americans seventeen planes. Forty-eight men had died in crashes and another thirty in accidents on the ground. Thanks their outstanding help, the West-Berliners could survive and kept their freedom.
But the so-called Cold War needed more than 40 more years to find finally its "happy end". Several times, Soviet battle jets hindered the civilian air traffic to & from West-Berlin. With their dangerous & crazy actions they always kept the Western Allies on watch.
In Summer of 1950, airlines of the Western Allies, PAM AM, BEA, AIR FRANCE, have started flights for civilian purposes. From that time, the military & civilian air traffic was held next to each other. Finally the West-Berliners could leave Berlin by airplane again. The connection to the world was back again. Everything happened under strictly Allied responsibility & jurisdiction. There were special rules & orders for the use of the so-called "air corridors". West-Berlin, like a small island, was surrounded of the huge Soviet district & military units of the "Warschauer Pact" forces, they have been a giant military power element. That meant, all air traffic, military & civilian nature, from and to West-Berlin had to fly over 110 miles above "enemy" terrain, the so-called Iron Curtain. And the Soviets always have found new ways & ideas to give new problems & troubles to the West-Berliners & Westerns Allies.
On February 1958, USAFE (U.S. Air Force Europe) renamed "Tempelhof Air Base" to 'Tempelhof Central Airport', (TCA). November 1959, the administration of TCA was transferred to Ramstein AB.
Illegal 'escape' landings by airplanes from Poland (LOT), always caused 'hot' situations. After landing the planes were surrounded by with automatic rifles armed security personnel. Everything here was Berlin reality! The dramatic scenes were filmed by TV teams and aired to everywhere of the world. TCA sometimes seemed to be the center of the Cold War. STASI agents, sent from East-Berlin, probably have tried everything, to get as much as possible info about this important installation. What else happened in the following years you can find in this overview.
TCA historical data from 1945 until now
April 22, 1945, the last German airplane before end of WWII, a 'JU52' from LUFTHANSA, departed Tempelhof airport.
April 28/29, 1945, Soviet battle troops occupied the airport
July 4, 1945, American troops arrive & took over the whole compound, destructions of WWII are visible. Begin of damage repair & constructions work.
May 19, 1946, the first civilian airplane (American Overseas Airlines) with 8 passengers, coming from New York, landed on the air field
June 26, 1948 - September 30, 1949, Action "VITTLES" during the Berlin Blockade September 30, 1949, West-Berlins "Oberbuergermeister", Mayor Ernst Reuter, named the open square in front of TCA in "Platz der Luftbruecke".
January 5, 1950, AIR FRANCE starts civilian air traffic from & to Berlin
July 14, 1950, contract between USAF and the city of West-Berlin for permission of civilian air traffic for Berliners with BEA (British Civilian Airways) & AOA (later PAN AM)
1951, BEA left Gatow airport (Brit. sector) & moved to Tempelhof
July 10, 1951, ceremonial opening of the legendary Airlift memorial (Luftbrueckendenkmal so-called "Hungerharke" or 'Fork of Hunger'.
June 6, 1954, first airplane, an 'DC6' from PAN AM (former AOA) has landed
January 2, 1960, AIR FRANCE moved to Tegel Airport
May 3, 1963, ceremonial opening of the civilian airport restaurant at TCA.
Dec.1, 1964, first civilian jet from PAN AM (Boeing 727) has landed (test flight)
April 1, 1966, PAN AM has started the 'Jet-Era' of Berlin's civilian air traffic
April 1, 1968, Charter-air-traffic (holidays planes) moved from Tempelhof to Tegel airport
June 12, 1969, constructions begin of new installations & terminals at Tegel airport
Februar 12, 1970, Colonel Gail S. Halvorsen, ('The Candy Pilot'), returns to TCA to become Air Base commander for 4 years.
July 1971, an C5A "Galaxy" of USAF landed at TCA
1973, the new terminals of Tegel airport are ready & opened
August 31, 1975, (at night), PAN AM & BEA airlines left TCA & moved to Tegel airport
October 3, 1990, German authorities got back the respond of Berlin air control
December 16, 1990, reactivating of the main airport terminal hall at TCA
June 26, 1993, 'Farewell ceremony' of the USAF, under the presence of U.S. President Bill Clinton. TCA was from now under German responsibility & jurisdiction. (by Berliner Flughafengesellschaft / BFG)
October 8, 1993, TCA is celebrating its 70th 'Birthday'
August 1994, the last helicopter of the US Army left TCA to the Allied Museum for permanent display
January 9, 1995, also LUFTHANSA moved to Tegel airport
From then, only small airplanes (business & private purposes) using TCA
At the huge compound of TCA countless private companies & installations are housed now. Also the department of Berlin's police president, the police museum & other police units have found their facilities there.
The so-called 'underworld' of TCA is abandoned and still full of secrets. During the Nazi era but also during the occupation time by the USAF, that area was off limits for the public. When TCA in 1935-1936 was erected, it was made to be strong like a castle. The airport was planned to be the 'heart' of GERMANIA, the main capital of the world in the fools dreams of Hitler. The huge buildings had a gigantic 'underworld' underneath. 3 levels downwards under the ground, made of strong concrete & steel, with an endless street,- & railway tracks system which ran and still runs from one end to the other, countless protection bunkers, rooms, depots, basements, hallways, miles of big pipeline systems, an own electric power plant, support installations & a separate waterwerks. During the Soviet blockade this waterwerks has provided the neighborhood districts, Kreuzberg & Neukoelln, with drink water. The strong bunkers of TCA's 'underworld', about 40 feet under the terminals level, have given thousands of airport employees and occupants of the vicinity, especially women and children, protection while WWII air raids. Some graffities & paintings, like 'silent witnesses' are still visible. Lots of tails & fairy tails have been told. Were there underground connections to the Reichstag or other Nazi installations? The Soviets but also the American troops tried to locate secret hidden rooms with Nazi treasures or military material. Until today all this is still in the dark. Nobody really knows what's behind of all the concrete walls. New 'go-through ways' were built, others closed and overpainted. It's very easy to get lost in that 'underworld' labyrinth.
But not long after TCA was given back to Berlin's government, it's time seems to find its soon end.
On May 28, 1996, German authorities of Berlin & Brandenburg have decided to make out of the small airport of Berlin Schoenefeld (former GDR airport of East-Berlin) the main airport of reunited Berlin & Brandenburg. After the end of its construction, Tempelhof & Tegel airports get closed. But then suddenly the plan for TCA has changed again. Despite endless protests of the Berliners & always new problems with the construction work of the new airport "Berlin-Brandenburg-International" (BBI) at Schoenefeld, Berlin's current mayor Mr. Wowereit, has given the strictly order to close Tempelhof airport in Fall of 2008 for ever. To that time the new airport BBI never can be ready for use. Its work just has started again. Most of Berliners cannot understand our mayor's strange decision, feel helpless.
On October 30, midnight, TCA as airport got closed forever. See the photo section: 'The 3 last days of TCA
U.S. Air Force units
(overview source: -www.western-allies-berlin.com- / David)
Transport units:
301st Troop Carrier Squadron (1945-1946)
47th Troop Carrier Squadron (1946-1947)
12th Troop Carrier Squadron (1947-1948)
53rd Troop Carrier Squadron (1948-1949)
Police units:
1119th MP Company AVN, TCA, (1945-1948)
100th Complement Squadron, Army Air Force (1945-1947)
7352nd Air Police Squadron (1949)
7350th Air Police Squadron (1965-1993)
7350th Security Police Squadron (1965-1993)
Signal units:
788th AAF Base Unit (1947-1948)
1946th Air Com. Squadron (1948-1953)
1946th AACS SQ/Com. Squadron (1954-1993)
HQ & Support & units:
473rd Air Service Group (1945-1946)
715th Air Material Group (1945-1946)
891st Air Engineer Squadron (1945-1946)
808th Air Engineer Squadron (1946-1947)
632nd Air Material Squadron (1947)
HQ & Base Service Squadron (1947)
Tempelhof Base Unit (1947)
7351st Maintenance & Support Squadron (1948-1949)
7350th Air Base Group (1948-1993)
-Air Traffic Control Operations (AT)
-6912th Electronic Security Group (ESG)
-7025th Air Postal
Detachment 2, 435th Operations Group (1993-1994)
Detachment 1, 435th Air Wings (1993-1994)
Together with Tegel airport, Tempelhof was an important component of West Berlin's Cold War freedom. During that period, many Berliners could travel to and from the City via air -only-. Communist East German police patrolling Soviet Zone autobahns between Checkpoints Alpha and Bravo sometimes apprehended innocent West Berlin ground travelers. It must not be forgotten that during those times West Berlin was a small island of freedom in a communist totalitarian sea. Over 250,000 Soviet troops were stationed in East Germany. Fortunately, Soviet forces generally respected Allied Berlin air corridors between West Berlin and the BUNDESREPUBLIK.
- TCA before 1945 -
First mention of Tempelhof dates back to the reign of Friedrich Wilhelm I (1721) when the field saw numerous colorful military parades by the Royal Guard Corps. In 1909, Wilbur and Orville Wright demonstrated their first motor-powered flying machine at Tempelhof Air field. The field was converted for full time use as a civil air facility in 1922. The ZENTRALFLUGHAFEN had an advantage of central location just minutes from the heart of Berlin and quickly became one of the world's busiest airports. Tempelhof saw its greatest pre-war days during 1938-1939 when more than 52 foreign and 40 domestic aircraft arrived and departed daily.
The air terminal was laid out in its present form in 1934-39 according to drawings by Ernst Sagebiel. Adolf Hitler, himself, planned the world's largest building (today fourth only to the Pentagon in Washington, DC, Houston's Johnson Space Center, and the former World Trade Center) as a headquarters for DEUTSCHE LUFTHANSA, the German commercial airline. As a forerunner of today's modern airports, the building was designed with many unique features including giant arc-shaped hangers for aircraft parking. Although under construction for more than ten years, it was never finished because of World War II.
The building complex was designed to resemble an eagle in flight with semicircular hangers forming the bird's spread wings. A mile long hanger roof was to have been laid in tiers to form a stadium for spectators at air and ground demonstrations. Tempelhof was not employed as a military air base during World War II but LUFTWAFFE night fighters occasionally made emergency landings on the field. In 1944 the Nazi government took desperate measures to build helicopters and FW-190 fighter aircraft in Tempelhof's underground tunnels. Over the years, many tales and fairy tales have arisen regarding those underground facilities. Aircraft engines were trucked to Tempelhof and joined to finished airframes.
- TCA after WW II -
The Soviet Army took the base in May 1945 following a fierce battle with LUFTWAFFE troops. Tempelhof's German commander, Colonel Rudolf Boettger, refused to carry out orders to blow up the base; instead he killed himself after destroying important records, including FW-190 production figures. Following entry of U.S. Forces into Berlin, Tempelhof came under control of the European Air Transport Service which, on 1 September 1945, initiated regular flight schedules to cities in continental Europe and England. On 20 December 1947 operation of the base was transferred to the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE).
As Soviet restrictions on land travel to and from West Berlin tightened, activities at Tempelhof steadily increased and West Berlin began to depend more and more on air power as a means of transportation and providing necessities to the City. On 1 April 1948, USAFE C-47s began a 24 hour schedule between Tempelhof and Rhein-Main Air Base in West Germany. The unofficial blockade was temporarily eased on 6 April as trains and motor vehicle traffic was allowed. The period of relaxed restrictions was brief, though, and on 20 June 1948 around-the-clock flying began once more. The Combined Airlift Task Force, known as "Operation Vittles" came into existence on 26 June 1948 when the Berlin Airlift (BERLINER LUFTBRUECKE) began in earnest.
Berlin air terminals used for the Airlift were Tempelhof in the American Sector, Gatow in the British Sector and Tegel (which was actually built during the Airlift) in the French Sector. Two additional Tempelhof runways were constructed during the blockade; completed in September and October 1948. During the Airlift, U.S. and RAF plans carried 2,343,301 tons of cargo into Berlin and logged 109,228,502 air miles. Of this amount 67 percent was coal, 24 percent food, and 9 percent miscellaneous items. During this period, 83,045 tons of cargo were flown out of Berlin along with 56,144 British and 37,325 U.S. passengers.
Heroes like the famous retired USAF Colonel Gail S. Halvorsen were "born." His nicknames were "The Chocolate Flyer," "Uncle Wiggle Wings," and "The Raisin Bomber" (ROSINEN-BOMBER). Halvorsen became famous for dropping sweets, suspended on tiny parachutes, for Berliner kids.
The Soviet blockade of Berlin was officially lifted 12 May 1949 and in August Airlift operations began a phase-out period which lasted until the Airlift Task Force disbanded on 1 October 1949. The last Berlin Air Lift flight on that final day was the 279,114thinto the beleaguered City.
The whole operation "VITTLES" had cost the British seven and the Americans seventeen planes. Forty-eight men had died in crashes and another thirty in accidents on the ground. Thanks their outstanding help, the West-Berliners could survive and kept their freedom.
But the so-called Cold War needed more than 40 more years to find finally its "happy end". Several times, Soviet battle jets hindered the civilian air traffic to & from West-Berlin. With their dangerous & crazy actions they always kept the Western Allies on watch.
In Summer of 1950, airlines of the Western Allies, PAM AM, BEA, AIR FRANCE, have started flights for civilian purposes. From that time, the military & civilian air traffic was held next to each other. Finally the West-Berliners could leave Berlin by airplane again. The connection to the world was back again. Everything happened under strictly Allied responsibility & jurisdiction. There were special rules & orders for the use of the so-called "air corridors". West-Berlin, like a small island, was surrounded of the huge Soviet district & military units of the "Warschauer Pact" forces, they have been a giant military power element. That meant, all air traffic, military & civilian nature, from and to West-Berlin had to fly over 110 miles above "enemy" terrain, the so-called Iron Curtain. And the Soviets always have found new ways & ideas to give new problems & troubles to the West-Berliners & Westerns Allies.
On February 1958, USAFE (U.S. Air Force Europe) renamed "Tempelhof Air Base" to 'Tempelhof Central Airport', (TCA). November 1959, the administration of TCA was transferred to Ramstein AB.
Illegal 'escape' landings by airplanes from Poland (LOT), always caused 'hot' situations. After landing the planes were surrounded by with automatic rifles armed security personnel. Everything here was Berlin reality! The dramatic scenes were filmed by TV teams and aired to everywhere of the world. TCA sometimes seemed to be the center of the Cold War. STASI agents, sent from East-Berlin, probably have tried everything, to get as much as possible info about this important installation. What else happened in the following years you can find in this overview.
TCA historical data from 1945 until now
April 22, 1945, the last German airplane before end of WWII, a 'JU52' from LUFTHANSA, departed Tempelhof airport.
April 28/29, 1945, Soviet battle troops occupied the airport
July 4, 1945, American troops arrive & took over the whole compound, destructions of WWII are visible. Begin of damage repair & constructions work.
May 19, 1946, the first civilian airplane (American Overseas Airlines) with 8 passengers, coming from New York, landed on the air field
June 26, 1948 - September 30, 1949, Action "VITTLES" during the Berlin Blockade September 30, 1949, West-Berlins "Oberbuergermeister", Mayor Ernst Reuter, named the open square in front of TCA in "Platz der Luftbruecke".
January 5, 1950, AIR FRANCE starts civilian air traffic from & to Berlin
July 14, 1950, contract between USAF and the city of West-Berlin for permission of civilian air traffic for Berliners with BEA (British Civilian Airways) & AOA (later PAN AM)
1951, BEA left Gatow airport (Brit. sector) & moved to Tempelhof
July 10, 1951, ceremonial opening of the legendary Airlift memorial (Luftbrueckendenkmal so-called "Hungerharke" or 'Fork of Hunger'.
June 6, 1954, first airplane, an 'DC6' from PAN AM (former AOA) has landed
January 2, 1960, AIR FRANCE moved to Tegel Airport
May 3, 1963, ceremonial opening of the civilian airport restaurant at TCA.
Dec.1, 1964, first civilian jet from PAN AM (Boeing 727) has landed (test flight)
April 1, 1966, PAN AM has started the 'Jet-Era' of Berlin's civilian air traffic
April 1, 1968, Charter-air-traffic (holidays planes) moved from Tempelhof to Tegel airport
June 12, 1969, constructions begin of new installations & terminals at Tegel airport
Februar 12, 1970, Colonel Gail S. Halvorsen, ('The Candy Pilot'), returns to TCA to become Air Base commander for 4 years.
July 1971, an C5A "Galaxy" of USAF landed at TCA
1973, the new terminals of Tegel airport are ready & opened
August 31, 1975, (at night), PAN AM & BEA airlines left TCA & moved to Tegel airport
October 3, 1990, German authorities got back the respond of Berlin air control
December 16, 1990, reactivating of the main airport terminal hall at TCA
June 26, 1993, 'Farewell ceremony' of the USAF, under the presence of U.S. President Bill Clinton. TCA was from now under German responsibility & jurisdiction. (by Berliner Flughafengesellschaft / BFG)
October 8, 1993, TCA is celebrating its 70th 'Birthday'
August 1994, the last helicopter of the US Army left TCA to the Allied Museum for permanent display
January 9, 1995, also LUFTHANSA moved to Tegel airport
From then, only small airplanes (business & private purposes) using TCA
At the huge compound of TCA countless private companies & installations are housed now. Also the department of Berlin's police president, the police museum & other police units have found their facilities there.
The so-called 'underworld' of TCA is abandoned and still full of secrets. During the Nazi era but also during the occupation time by the USAF, that area was off limits for the public. When TCA in 1935-1936 was erected, it was made to be strong like a castle. The airport was planned to be the 'heart' of GERMANIA, the main capital of the world in the fools dreams of Hitler. The huge buildings had a gigantic 'underworld' underneath. 3 levels downwards under the ground, made of strong concrete & steel, with an endless street,- & railway tracks system which ran and still runs from one end to the other, countless protection bunkers, rooms, depots, basements, hallways, miles of big pipeline systems, an own electric power plant, support installations & a separate waterwerks. During the Soviet blockade this waterwerks has provided the neighborhood districts, Kreuzberg & Neukoelln, with drink water. The strong bunkers of TCA's 'underworld', about 40 feet under the terminals level, have given thousands of airport employees and occupants of the vicinity, especially women and children, protection while WWII air raids. Some graffities & paintings, like 'silent witnesses' are still visible. Lots of tails & fairy tails have been told. Were there underground connections to the Reichstag or other Nazi installations? The Soviets but also the American troops tried to locate secret hidden rooms with Nazi treasures or military material. Until today all this is still in the dark. Nobody really knows what's behind of all the concrete walls. New 'go-through ways' were built, others closed and overpainted. It's very easy to get lost in that 'underworld' labyrinth.
But not long after TCA was given back to Berlin's government, it's time seems to find its soon end.
On May 28, 1996, German authorities of Berlin & Brandenburg have decided to make out of the small airport of Berlin Schoenefeld (former GDR airport of East-Berlin) the main airport of reunited Berlin & Brandenburg. After the end of its construction, Tempelhof & Tegel airports get closed. But then suddenly the plan for TCA has changed again. Despite endless protests of the Berliners & always new problems with the construction work of the new airport "Berlin-Brandenburg-International" (BBI) at Schoenefeld, Berlin's current mayor Mr. Wowereit, has given the strictly order to close Tempelhof airport in Fall of 2008 for ever. To that time the new airport BBI never can be ready for use. Its work just has started again. Most of Berliners cannot understand our mayor's strange decision, feel helpless.
On October 30, midnight, TCA as airport got closed forever. See the photo section: 'The 3 last days of TCA
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