A C-17 Globemaster III from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., along with an aircrew from here, delivered relief supplies to Clark Air Base, Philippines, Feb. 22.

The village of Guinsaugon, on the Philippine Island of Leyte, was hit by a killer 100-foot deep mudslide Feb. 21. Filipino officials fear there are more than 1,000 dead.

The cargo plane delivered military rations, water, cots, tents, heavy equipment and Airmen from the 15th Airlift Wing to Clark. From there, a variety of military and civilian aircraft ferried the supplies to the devastated area.

For the mixed aircrew of active duty and Guard Airmen, the real-world mission provided them with some unexpected training.

Loadmaster Staff Sgt. Ryan Page, who is responsible for the cargo coming on and off the aircraft, was on the mission. He said flying the relief supplies showed how Airmen are prepared to carry out difficult orders safely on short notice.

“I am actually qualified, just not mission ready yet,” he said. “The difference is you know your job, but you haven’t done it in the real world yet.”

Tech Sgt. Ken Bragg, an eight-year “load,” showed Sergeant Page the ropes on the long trip.

“He did pretty well,” Sergeant Bragg said. “(Sergeant Page) had a couple moments where he just needed to take a breath and regain his focus.”

Sergeant Bragg said it is his job to “step in and just give him a little bit of direction” when needed. But the 535th Airlift Squadron loadmaster said, “He loaded this forklift -- pretty tight -- only a few inches on both sides. But they’re not the easiest things to maneuver.”

Chief Master Sgt. Alan Ogata was also on the trip.

“The old dog still has some tricks,” said Chief Ogata, chief loadmaster for the 204th Airlift Squadron of the Hawaii Air National Guard.

“We have a good group of guys, sharp and very bright. They are all gaining the experience they need,” Chief Ogata said.

But Sergeant Page isn’t exactly a rookie.

“I’ve flown over Iraq and Afghanistan on AWACS, so I know what that’s like,” Sergeant Page said. “There’s good things about that because you are making a difference.

“But this (mission) is a lot different because you’re actually helping people that really need your help,” he said.