Operation KIDS deploys to Vance

  • Published
  • By Danielle Lutes
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  There will be a mass deployment for children of military families between the ages of five and 12, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 6.

Operation KIDS (Kids Investigating Deployment Services) is a hands-on activity designed to show children what their parents go through when they deploy. Registration is free and takes place now through Aug. 3. To register, parents need to bring their children to the Airman & Family Readiness Center for photos, which will be used on a special identification card.

The event begins in the Fitness Center Gymnasium. Parents can either accompany their children or drop them off. Volunteer "Wingmen" will also be available to escort the children. At the processing line at the gym, the children will receive a backpack with dog tags and other gear for their deployment.

After the processing line, the children will take a bus to the flight line and experience a pretend flight. After their "flight" the children will go to Hangar 170, where "Camp Liberty" is located. 

At Camp Liberty, there will be face painting, a weapons display, a rock wall, an obstacle course, lunch and other activities.

The event culminates with a welcome home reunion scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Youth Center. Parents are encouraged to come to the reunion.

Tech. Sgt. Bobbie White, 71 Force Support Squadron A&FRC readiness NCO, is the coordinator for Operation KIDS.

"We want the program to be something children look back on when their parents are called to deploy," she said. "So instead of scary images entering the children's minds, we hope they think of this event and know their parents will be in good hands.

"Deploying parents can better adjust to their new combat environment knowing that their children understand the process they are going through and why they have to leave."

This is the third year Operation KIDS has been at Vance AFB. More than 70 children participated in 2007.

For more information or to volunteer, call Sergeant White at 213-6330 or 6228.