Final answer:
The operation launched by the Western nations in response to the Soviet blockade of West Berlin in 1948 was the Berlin Airlift, during which supplies were flown into the city for nearly a year until the blockade was lifted.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1948, the Soviet Union instituted a blockade aiming to sever West Berlin from the Western World, prompting the Western nations to undertake the Berlin Airlift. This operation involved a formidable effort by the United States and the United Kingdom to sustain the city by airlifting food, water, and other supplies. The airlift lasted from June 1948 until May 1949, and at its peak, involved planes landing at Berlin's Tempelhof Airport as frequently as every forty-five seconds. Recognizing the successful resolve of the Western Allies, the Soviets lifted the blockade in May 1949, leading to the creation of the Federal Republic of Germany, known as West Germany, with its capital in Bonn.