A joint Hawai'i Air National Guard and Air Force mission flew to Hilo last night to pick up the massive pumping equipment on loan from the Hawai'i County Civil Defense, according to a National Guard news release. Also transported was the Big Island's Urban Search and Rescue team, which relieved an O'ahu team.

The 36,000 pounds of equipment exceeded the weight limitations for smaller planes, the KC-135 and the CH-47 aircraft, so the C-17 was called in.

The equipment was then flown to Lihu'e, and sent to the Waimea area, where it began pumping out water to decrease the threat of flooding, the news release said.

Hickam's first C-17, the "Ke Aloha," was flown by a joint Hawai'i Air National Guard and U.S. Air Force crew.