It's June 26, 1948, in the skies above Berlin, Germany.

In the cockpit of a Douglas DC-4, American pilot Jack Bennett flips a pair of switches on the

instrument panel and tightens of switches on the instrument panel

and tightens his grip on the controls.

Sweat beads on his forehead as he scans the sky for Soviet fighters

and the ground below for anti-aircraft batteries.

Jack may be a civilian pilot for American overseas airlines,

but at this moment, he can't shake the feeling that he's flying into a war zone.

Because only two days ago, the Soviet Union began blockading West Berlin, the sector of the

German capital controlled by the United States, Britain, and France. In response, the Western

allies have decided to fly food and other supplies into this isolated enclave.

But no one knows how the Soviets will respond when the first plane approaches the city.

If they shoot down Jack's DC-4, it could trigger World War III.

After what feels like an eternity, Jack spots a long strip of tarmac ahead, Templehof Airport. He banks his aircraft into position and begins final approach. But at any moment, he expects the sky around him to erupt

with gunfire. Down below, he can see people around the airport's perimeter fence. They come to

watch him land. But if he's hit now, they'll be in real danger.

Still, there's nothing he can do but murmur a silent prayer.

He eases the plane lower, gliding down the last few feet.

It's a hard landing.

The plane shudders as Jack breaks sharply and steers off the runway.

Lancing out of the window, he can see the crowd at the perimeter cheering his arrival.

And now, safely back on the ground, Jack is able to smile too.

...