Maintaining the Berlin Airlift An equal challenge to supplying the city of Berlin was the need for the Airlift forces to supply and maintain themselves. During the Airlift's peak months, the U.S. Air Force provided maintenance support not only for the 324 assigned aircraft, but also for 1,600 motor vehicles and 500 ground power equipment items. Operations continued at stateside air depots and bases, as well as those in England and Germany for 24 hours a day to sustain the Airlift. Click here to return to the Berlin Airlift Overview.