What event marked one of the first instances of U.S. airlift operations on a large scale after World War II?

The Berlin Airlift is recognized as one of the first major instances of U.S. airlift operations on a large scale after World War II. This operation was a response to the Soviet blockade of West Berlin in 1948-1949, which aimed to cut off supplies to the city in an attempt to exert control over it. In response, the United States, along with its allies, organized a massive airlift to supply West Berliners with food, fuel, and other essential goods.

The success of the Berlin Airlift demonstrated the effectiveness and potential of airlift capabilities in military operations, establishing a precedent for future air logistics. The operation lasted more than a year and involved a significant increase in air traffic, with planes landing every few minutes to ensure the continuous flow of supplies.

This specific context of a coordinated airlift operation during a tense period of the Cold War highlights its significance in military aviation history, contrasting it with the other options, which involved different types of military operations or were conducted under different circumstances.