Operation KIDS

  • Published
  • By Josh Wilson
  • May 22, 2012
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, TEXAS --  Team Sheppard sent young "troops" on a special deployment to "Base X" during the annual Operation KIDS (Kids Investigating Deployment Services) event, May 19. The group experienced an interactive mini-deployment scenario with typical military procedures their parents may encounter during a deployment.

Children were "recalled" at 7am Saturday morning for deployment and were met by Brig. Gen. Michael Fantini, who briefed the children on their upcoming deployment.

"You are here to experience what your parents go through on a typical deployment," said Fantini. "I encourage you to ask as many questions as possible and to leave here with a better understanding of what a deployment is."

After their brief, the children were given their "gear" consisting of a shirt and a bag. They then boarded buses in route to a C-130 for their "flight" to "Base-X."

Once they arrived at "Base-X" the kids were able to observe and interact with items such as OSI finger printing, Security Forces weapons, K-9 units, ambulance gurney, Explosive Ordinance Disposal robots and Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Equipment. They were also allowed in the cargo areas and pilot seats in C-130s, KC-135, F-16s, F-15s aircrafts and a MH-53 Pave Low Helicopter.

After exploring the operations at "Base X," everyone was treated to lunch and boarded the buses to return "home" where they were greeted with a welcome party.

"This year's Operation KIDS was a great success!," said TSgt Donald Leornas, coordinator of this year's event. "We had 80 Kids that deployed to "Base X." If you include the parents, we had 210 total participants."

Over 85 volunteers stepped up to make Operation KIDS a huge success.