Book excerpt: After 60 years of serving as the Gateway to Europe, Rhein-Main Air Base ceased operations on September 30, 2005. The unique history and determination of this Air Base has supported over 170 humanitarian airlift operations, to include the famous Berlin Airlift. Since 1945, some 8 million GI's have arrived at Rhein-Main AB to begin their tour of duty in Europe, or in transit to support military operations such as Desert Storm or to Iraq and Afghanistan. Rhein-Main also provided support to the MATS aero medical evacuation and military supply flights, not to mention the countless military exercises that occurred. No base in USAF history accomplished so much, under often the most difficult conditions, for so many years. This "Can Do" mentality was always supported by the Frankfurt International Airport, which provided a unique alliance found no where else. This combined, is what made Rhein-Main special.