An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | May 19, 2008

Air Guard delivers 200,000 lbs of relief to China

By Tech. Sgt. Chris Vadnais Air Force News Agency

CHENGDU SHUANGLIU INT'L AIRPORT - Two Air Force C-17 Globemaster IIIs landed here May 18 carrying nearly 200,000 pounds of relief supplies in the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck the region on May 12.

The C-17s were assigned to the 15th Airlift Wing at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, and the 3rd Wing at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska.  Before 2005, C-17s were stationed exclusively in the continental U.S. C-17 squadrons are now operational at Hickam and Elmendorf AFBs.

The first of the two jets to land in China was flown by a crew from the Hawaii Air National Guard's 204th Airlift Squadron and carried nearly 100,000 lbs. of food, tents, blankets and tools.

The mission's planning and coordination was handled by planners from 13th Air Force, a component numbered air force, at Hickam AFB. Thirteenth Air Force serves as the operational air and space arm of Pacific Air Forces and the U.S. Pacific Command, as well as the standing Joint Forces Air Component Command unit. 

Having resources like two C-17 squadrons in the Pacific theater is part of what makes 13th Air Force so effective, an official said.

"We have a full range of tools to be able to assist and to support the missions of Pacific Command," said Maj. Gen. Richard E. Perraut, Jr., 13th Air Force vice commander. "This is just one of the many, many missions and capabilities we bring to the table -- the Joint table -- to be able to support the United States Pacific Command, the United States government, the Department of Defense, to accomplish whatever missions or desires our government has.".

James Thomas Montgomery, Hickam's deployment manager, said this operation was different than most he's seen because it was a collaborative effort of government organizations. Notably, supplies for the Hickam C-17 mission were purchased from the Federal Emergency Management Agency

"They postured us with all the supplies," said Mr. Montgomery. "We shuttled those supplies from their FEMA warehouse down to our facility here at Hickam. We built the pallets up, got the supplies air-worthy and put them on planes to get them to the crisis area," he said.

This is the second time this year the U.S. has provided humanitarian assistance to the People's Republic of China. In February, a U.S. PACOM mission sent a C-17 from Hickam to deliver winter relief supplies when 19 Chinese provinces experienced the most severe winter storms in 50 years.

"The United States stands ready to help in any way it can," said U.S. Ambassador to China Clark T. Rand, Jr. "To the people of China, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this extremely difficult time," he said.

U.S. PACOM officials say the focus of this humanitarian assistance mission is to provide immediate assistance to help reduce further loss of life and mitigate human suffering resulting from the disaster. U.S. PACOM was authorized by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to support the relief efforts. The assistance is in support of the U.S. Department of State.

"The members of the U.S. Pacific Command offer our sincere condolences to the citizens of the People's Republic of China who have been affected by the recent earthquake," said Adm. Timothy Keating, U.S. PACOM commander.

 

 

Related Articles
The 111th Electromagnetic Warfare Company conducts training exercise, Operation Golden Corridor in Dahlonega, Georgia, August 15, 2025. Throughout the duration of the exercise, Soldiers simulated peer and near-peer electromagnetic warfare scenarios and enhance unit proficiency in spectrum mapping, RF detection, and alternative radar awareness capabilities under austere conditions.
Georgia Guard Company Leads in Electromagnetic Warfare Modernization
By | Aug. 27, 2025
DAHLONEGA, Ga. - The Georgia Army National Guard’s 111th Electromagnetic Warfare Company, based in Forest Park, Georgia, is rapidly establishing itself as a leader in the Army’s modernization efforts within the...

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion 182nd Infantry Regiment, Massachusetts Army National Guard, and the 1st Battalion 69th Infantry Regiment, New York Army National Guard, participated in the annual Logan-Duffy Shooting Match, August 21, 2025, at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. The history of the Logan Duffy Rifle Match goes back nearly 90 years to the first match, which was held in 1936.
Massachusetts, New York Guard Members Compete in Historic Logan-Duffy Rifle Competition
By Sgt. 1st Class Steven Eaton,   | Aug. 27, 2025
DEVENS, Mass. – Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Regiment, Massachusetts Army National Guard, and the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, New York Army National Guard, participated in the annual Logan-Duffy...

An Alaska Air National Guard HH-60G Pave Hawk assigned to the 210th Rescue Squadron a real-world rescue operation at Point MacKenzie, Alaska, Sept. 1, 2022. After a Christen A-1 Husky crashed into a marsh, National Guardsmen rappelled and conducted a rescue operation, ensuring the aircraft was safely vacated. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Julia Lebens)
Alaska Air Guard Rescues Individual With Facial Laceration Near Knik Glacier
By Alejandro Pena, | Aug. 27, 2025
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Alaska Air National Guard members with the 176th Wing rescued an individual with a facial laceration Aug. 25, about 40 miles northeast of Anchorage in the vicinity of Knik Glacier.The...