Page 7 - Thunderbolt Nov. 2 2016

Thunderbolt NEWS November 2016 7
Young T-bolts learn about deployment
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Story and photos by Airman 1st Class

56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
The 56th Force Support Squadron’s staff held its bien- nial mock deployment event at the Ability to Survive and Operate area Oct. 15 at Luke Air Force Base.
The event, code-named Operation Kids, was held to show children of military members the duty and life of an Airman who is deployed.
“These types of events are important because it gives children of military members the chance to see what mom and dad go through when they are deployed,” said Master Sgt. Anthony Drew, 56th FSS NCO in charge of readiness. “We wanted them to fully experience a deployed environ- ment while having fun.”
The young participants started the event by going through a deployment line and being given simulated medical shots, equipment for the field and assigned to one of four deployment teams.
“As a mother, I thought it was a neat simulation,” said Senaida Larson, 56th FSS work life specialist. “My daughter had a really good time, and I wish more families would have participated in it.”
After being assigned to teams, young Thunderbolts were transported to the ATSO training area on the northwest side of Luke.
During this phase of the event, the children partici- pated in a variety of obstacles, activities and hands-on training with field equipment from the 56th Civil Engi- neer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, 56th Security Forces Squadron, 56th Medical Group and other volunteering agencies.
“Multiple squadrons came together to educate kids and parents with activities,” Drew said. “Dependents were shown different events to help them understand when a parent says they have to go away for a certain amount of months, they can associate with this event and kind of know what they are talking about.”
At the conclusion of the mock deployment, the young deployers ate a meal together and were loaded onto buses to return home. Upon arrival the children were given a hero’s welcome.
“I think it’s essential for children to recognize what their parents do and to feel it is important on a larger scale, as well as celebrating the families that stay behind and support their loved ones,” Drew said. “It’s a team effort, and we couldn’t do what we do without the strength of our families behind us. Anytime you get families educated about the process of deployment is a win in our book.”

of the four teams of children who participated in Operation Kids Oct. 15 at Luke Air Force Base.
Senior Airman Tyneal Remington, 56th Medical Operations Squadron medical tech- nician, wraps a simulated trauma bandage on one of the participants. Remington showed the children the medical aspect of a deployment.
Airman 1st Class Tahir Finley, 56th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Dis-

display the bomb suit to participants of the event.
Brig. Gen. Brook Leonard, 56th Fighter Wing commander, gives opening remarks during the Operation Kids event. The for a parent when he is deployed.
James Yang Hellewell, 56th Medical Operations Squadron Family Advocacy outreach man- ager, hands out stress balls at Operation Kids. Hellewell was part of a mock deployment line.