Harrison Epstein, Daily Herald

The excitement of a new airport in Provo reached a fever pitch May 7 when thousands of residents lined up for tours of the new facility — so many showed up that some were even turned away.

Because the city has received numerous requests, another public tour and free open house will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday.

Once TSA takes over security of the airport on July 5, it will become a secured facility and events are no longer allowed.

The Thursday event kicks off a busy weekend for the airport leading up to the Gail “Candy Bomber” Halvorsen Life Celebration.

Col. Halvorsen made his last flight Feb. 16, 2022, at the age of 101. This compassionate, humble patriot dedicated his life to humanity and making the world a better place. During the 1948 Berlin Airlift he showed the world how a simple act of kindness could change the course of history.

Michael Schnell, Special to the Daily Herald

“Gail S. Halvorsen, my father, would be very excited to see a C-17 USAF Cargo aircraft [right here] in Provo, Utah,” said Denise Halvorsen Williams in a press release. “He would be humbled, surprised and grateful to know it would be named after him, who was ‘just a farm kid with no indoor plumbing or electricity until high school.’ Yet the impact of his small act of sharing two sticks of gum in 1948 with thirty children in Berlin during the historic Berlin Airlift, changed the course of history. Everyone who hears and knows his story is inspired to do everything within their reach to make the world a better place.”

There will be events to celebrate Halvorsen’s life at the Provo City Airport on Friday and the Spanish Fork Airport on Saturday.

“By combining efforts of both airports, Utah Valley may also be able to enhance future humanitarian efforts in the spirit of Gail S. Halvorsen’s small and simple acts during the Berlin Airlift as the “Berlin Candy Bomber,” Williams said.

Friday

On Friday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., there will be a public open house and tours of two static aircraft that served in World War II. A restored C-54 and a current workhorse of the Air Force C-17 aircraft will be on display.

To tour the planes, people can enter through the main entrance on the east side of the terminal, then continue straight through the center corridor to Gate 2 on the west side.

Evan Cobb, Daily Herald file photo

The U.S. Air Force C-17 is getting a new paint job. The plane will be named “Spirit of the Candy Bomber.” The C-54 is a restored Skymaster and is the aircraft model that was devoted to Operation Vittles and Little Vittles in Berlin in 1948 and 1949. Residents are invited to explore exhibits on the aircraft.

At 5 p.m., VIPs, media members and residents will participate in a program that will include the unveiling of the C-17 Globemaster III named after the “Candy Bomber.”

Air Mobility Command commander Gen. Mike Minihan will lead the dedication with remarks on how Halvorsen’s actions have carried on over 75 years of Air Force-supported humanitarian operations. This C-17, which is set to be named “The Spirit of the Candy Bomber,” conducted several missions throughout last year’s evacuation of civilians from Afghanistan and the fleet is also playing a significant role in moving supplies and humanitarian aid to Europe in support of Ukraine.

The USAF will christen the plane during the event. Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi will also speak and the Air Force Band is scheduled to perform.

Distinguished visitors, including foreign dignitaries from Germany, England and France, will be in attendance as well as aerospace industry leaders from Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

Saturday

From 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at Spanish Fork Airport, the celebration continues with performances by the Air Force’s Band of the Golden West, a side-by-side flyover of the Spirit of the Candy Bomber and the Spirit of Freedom, the world’s only air-worthy C-54 according to promotional information. That will be followed by parachutes delivering candy to children in a special symbolic airdrop at the Spanish Fork airport. The Hershey company is providing chocolate candy bars with wrappings honoring Halvorsen.

Earlier Saturday, a special event will be held in Mapleton with distinguished visitors, including German ambassadors and children here for the event who will meet at Quiet Meadow Farm in Mapleton for a catered brunch and a “live” program from Germany. The program will reflect on the Candy Bomber’s positive impact and longstanding friendship with the Berliners and German people.

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