U.S. Sends Relief Supplies To China

HONOLULU -- The U.S. military said it is currently preparing to send relief supplies from Hawaii to China.

KITV's Catherine Cruz reported from Hickam Air Force Base that two military planes are headed to China -- one from the Hickam base and a second aircraft from Alaska, which was en route to Chengdu, China, on Friday night.

Both are being filled with supplies from FEMA.

Crews were busy loading 17 pallets filled with tents, tarps, generators and water.

Additional relief supplies from Anderson Airforce base in Guam will also be tapped.

"The People's Republic of China normally does not ask for help. They are a large country, and they have the ability to respond to emergencies. However, the winter storms in January -- it overwhelmed their ability at that time," Maj. Gen. Richard Perrault said.

The C17 is being manned by a volunteer crew from the Hawaii air guard as well as additional support from regular- and active-duty personnel.

Once the supplies are unloaded, the planes and members of the crew will be headed on a second mission, officials said.

Air force personnel said they are also actively helping with the relief aid for the cyclone victims in Burma.

U.S. planes from Yakota, Japan, are also flying in aid with the daily permission of the Burmese government.

"We have a couple of C130 flying missions into Udupay starting this week Burma time," Perrault said.

So far, the request for aid from China is only for the two C17 planeloads of supplies.

The military said if China needs more, it is ready to help.