War paint

Hannah Breedlove, 5, waits nervously as the first color is applied at the comoflauge station at Camp Courage. Children learned about the deployment process there were two static aircraft-displays, along with vehicles and personnel from Security Forces, the Army and Marine Corps. (Air Force photo/Micah Garbarino)

Operation KUDOS: Sign children up now for Sept. 26 event

Published Sept. 11, 2009
By Amber Renteria-Hulme
Airman and Family Readiness Center

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Later this month, children ages 2 to 16 will be given a unique opportunity to learn about what their parents experience while being deployed.

Operation KUDOS -- which stands for Kids Understanding Deployment Operations -- allows families to participate in a mock deployment in a fun and safe environment.

The Sept. 26 event will begin with the pre-deployment line in Bldg. 255. Attendees will go through the line at an assigned chalk time. The first chalk begins at 9 a.m. and they will run every 45 minutes. Each family will walk through the line, visiting various base agencies to have their checklist completed. As they go through the line, families will have the opportunity to gather goodies such as a sling bag, a

T-shirt, canteen and much needed items for their deployment.

After leaving the deployment line, the children will be directed to the 552nd Operations Group auditorium for the commander's brief to obtain details of their orders and how they will proceed throughout the day. Upon completing their brief, they will be bused to Dock 2 and will board an aircraft for a simulated flight to Camp Courage. When they arrive at the camp, they will be fed a hot dog lunch and will have the chance to familiarize themselves with military life away from home.

The day will also include give-aways and door prizes.Each child must pre-register prior to the event, and parents are responsible for their children throughout the day. Call the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 739-2747 to register and for more information.