"We flew into places in Indonesia that we don't normally get to fly into," said Lt. Cmdr. Brad Sultzer, a C-130 pilot out of U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point. The crew also flew missions in Thailand, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

The crew shuttled fish, vegetables, rice, water, malaria vaccines, high-energy biscuits and chicken — in all 300,000 pounds of supplies, Sultzer said.

Coast Guard crew from Barbers Point delivered 300,000 pounds of supplies to victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami. Crew members, who returned last night, said it was a privilege to assist in the relief effort. Petty Officer Mariana O'Leary • U.S. Coast Guard

The Barbers Point Coast Guard personnel were part of a group of 40 from four air stations on two C-130s, including one based in Sacramento, Calif. The California crew is expected to land in Honolulu today before heading back to the Mainland.

The mission was part of the U.S. Pacific Command Air Force Operation. The United States has committed $350 million for relief efforts. More than 20 U.S. patrol and cargo aircraft have been made available to deliver supplies.

Lt. Kevin Smith, who flew with Sultzer, said it was an interesting experience to be attached to an Air Force unit and to help deliver aid to tsunami victims.

"We were part of an operation on a global scale," Smith said. "It's the reason many of us join the Coast Guard to begin with. We were fully involved in the mission of providing urgently needed supplies."

Smith was particularly proud that the Hawai'i plane never missed a mission. Sometimes the crew would land on an airstrip, a mass of forklifts would descend upon the plane, unload its contents and within 15 minutes the plane would be taxiing back on the runway on its way to pick up more supplies to be taken to a different destination.

In some of those locations, the people they met had never seen someone from the United States, Smith said. They'd touch the American flag patch on their shoulders. In other places, the crews were told not to stray off the paved sidewalks because there were land mines buried in the soil.

"The people were so grateful for everything we transported," Smith said. "It's very rewarding. We in America do have the ability to help others. I felt lucky to participate in the operation."