A C-17 cargo aircraft from Hickam Air Force that dropped off relief supplies in China over the weekend was the first U.S. military aircraft to assist the country after it was hit by a magnitude-7.9 earthquake on May 12, officials said.

The aircraft "Spirit of Kamehameha," piloted and crewed by six Hawai'i Air National Guard members and one active-duty Air Force airman, was one of two C-17s initially dispatched to aid the quake-stricken region.

The second was from Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska. The Hickam C-17 delivered 90,135 pounds of relief supplies, including food, tents, blankets and tools.

A third C-17, this one out of McChord Air Force Base in Washington state, was expected to be en route today to China with relief personnel, officials said.