Raf Gatow (formerly known as RAF Gatow) is a former Royal Air Force (RAF) airfield located in the Gatow district of Berlin, Germany. It served as an RAF station from 1945 to 1994 and was primarily used as a logistics support base during the Cold War era.
Originally established as a Luftwaffe airfield in the 1930s, Gatow was captured by the Soviet Union at the end of World War II and subsequently handed over to the British for use as an RAF airfield. As part of the Allied occupation of Germany, Gatow became an important base for the RAF's transport and communication units in Berlin.
Throughout the Cold War, RAF Gatow played a crucial role in maintaining the logistical supply chain to West Berlin during the Soviet blockade in 1948-1949. It housed a fleet of transport aircraft and helicopters, serving as a hub for aerial transportation to and from the isolated city.
Following the reunification of Germany, RAF Gatow was returned to German control in 1994 and renamed "Bundeswehr Depot Gatow." Today, it serves as a historical museum and memorial site, exhibiting various aircraft, artifacts, and documentation related to its RAF history.
Due to its strategic importance during the Cold War and its subsequent transformation into a museum, RAF Gatow holds significant historical value, symbolizing the lasting impact of the divide between East and West Berlin and the commitment of the Allied forces to support the city's residents during times of crisis.
