Operation Hero 2015

Barksdale firefighters show participants of Operation Hero how to operate a fire hose at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Sept. 26, 2015. Several base agencies set up displays to teach children about the equipment their parents might use during a deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Joseph Raatz)

Operation Hero 2015

Airmen from the 2nd Security Force Squadron fingerprint participants of Operation Hero during their in-processing line at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Sept. 26, 2015. More than 80 children participated in this year’s event, getting a better understanding of what their parents go through while getting ready to deploy. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Joseph Raatz)

Operation Hero 2015

Volunteers give children participating in Operation Hero camouflage face paint as part of their pre-deployment experience at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Sept. 26, 2015. Dozens of volunteers helped give more than 80 children an insider’s view into military life. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Joseph Raatz)

Operation Hero 2015

Children run around the track during their Operation Hero physical fitness test at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Sept. 26, 2015. As part of their deployment preparation experience, participants received orders, took a PT test and learned about the equipment they might use on their mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Joseph Raatz)

Operation Hero 2015

Airmen from the 2nd Security Forces Squadron demonstrate how Airmen defend themselves while deployed to children participating in Operation Hero at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Sept. 26, 2015. Operation Hero gave children a greater understanding of what their parents go through when they get ready to deploy. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Joseph Raatz)

Barksdale kids deploy to Camp Kudos

Published Sept. 29, 2015
By Senior Airman Joseph Raatz
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- The morning of Sept. 26 began with an urgent phone call to each of more than 80 children: report immediately to Barksdale's Senior Airman Bryan R. Bell fitness center for a pre-deployment briefing.

Upon arrival, each child was presented with orders to deploy to Camp Kudos in support of Operation Hero. Col. Kristin Goodwin, 2nd Bomb Wing commander, briefed the children on their mission.

"You guys are going to see what your moms and dads do every day," Goodwin said. "They are all part of a really cool team called the U.S. Air Force. When members of that team get ready to go all over the world, they have to learn how to use their equipment and how to work together with other teams. So today, I want you to work together with your teams here, learn a lot and have fun."

The annual event, hosted by Barksdale's Airman and Family Readiness Center, promotes understanding of what military members go through when they get ready for deployment, said Master Sgt. Acquanetta Harrison, AFRC superintendent.

The children first participated in a personnel deployment function line, where they double-checked their orders, received dog tags, drew deployment gear and information and were finger-printed.

After receiving their final assignments and being sorted into their units, or chalks, the children visited stations hosted by several base agencies to get an insider's view into deployments and military life in general.

The 2nd Security Forces Squadron was out in force, with a patrol car and up-armored Humvee on display as well as a weapons table.

"It's awesome to see how excited these kids get over this stuff," said a grinning Airman 1st Class Corey Williams, 2nd SFS patrolman, as he showed yet another child how to hold and operate an M249 light machine gun.

At the emergency management station, children learned about dealing with hazardous materials and tried on an M50 gas mask. Also nearby, Barksdale firefighters brought a fire engine for the children to tour and gave them the opportunity to operate the hose.

The children also participated in a physical fitness assessment. Volunteers demonstrated pushups and situps, and led each chalk on a short run.

In years past, Operation Hero also included a mock firearms qualification with paintball guns.

"That's something I'd really like to see us get to do again," said Tech. Sgt. Linda Larsen, AFRC readiness NCO and Operation Hero coordinator. "Unfortunately, because of our location this year, we weren't able to do that, but I've got some really big plans for next year."

The deployment was capped off with boxed lunches from the field kitchen and a military working dog demonstration. Each chalk was then called up to receive medals and certificates signifying the completion of their deployment to Camp Kudos.

"This year has been awesome," Harrison said. "Operation Hero is a great event and a great experience for the kids. If you weren't able to make it out this year, please come out and join us next year. It'll be even bigger and better than 2015."