Honolulu residents got an early morning sample of U.S. Air Force hardware when 20 loud jets awakened residents during a pre-dawn takeoff.

Two waves of airplanes took off, the first about 4:45 a.m. and the second 20 minutes later. Each wave included six F-15 fighter jets and four KC-135 refueling tanker jets, said Tweet Coleman, the Federal Aviation Administration's Pacific representative.

"The reason they take off so early is they want to take off when it is cool," she said. "It is easier for airplanes to fly when it is cool. You get better efficiency."

The planes were headed home to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, a spokesman from Hickam Air Base said.

Brushfires put out in early morning

Firefighters battled brush fires early today in Kahuku and Kunia.

Two engine and two tanker companies responded to a 2:07 a.m. alarm in Kahuku and reported a brushfire near the Turtle Bay Resort extinguished at 4:21 a.m., said Fire Department spokesman Capt. Kenison Tejada.

It took about two hours for four companies to put out a second brushfire on Kunia Road reported at 3:52 a.m.

Meanwhile, a two-acre brushfire at Fort Shafter yesterday created a lot of smoke but caused no damage or injuries. The Federal Fire Department and HFD responded to the 1:15 p.m. alarm off 7th Street. The fire was under control at 2:45 p.m.