Operation KIDS

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Valerie Hosea
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  About 100 people from Sheppard Air Force base deployed April 18, but it wasn't a normal group that headed out. 

To help military children understand and appreciate what their parents go through during this tough time, Sheppard coordinates Operation KIDS once a year. 

"Typically, the kids see the parents off at the airport," said Maj. Victor Anaya, 82nd Logistics Readiness Squadron commander. "This gives them a chance to see what goes into deploying," he said as his kids nodded and smiled. 

More than 100 kids started arriving at the 82nd Mission Support Group building April 18 at 7a.m. ready to deploy. Some children even wore airman battle uniforms with military insignia and decorations as high ranking as a brigadier general. 

After getting a briefing from Tech. Sgt. Erich Lofton, a base training manager at the 82nd Mission Support Squadron, the deploying children went through the process line where they checked in, received orders for their six-month deployment, deployment dollars, spiritual fulfillment reading, an Operation KIDS T-shirt and deployment candy. 

One deployer complete with Airman Battle Uniform and a red rope around his left shoulder was eager to get through the processing line. 

"I'm deploying!" said 5-year old Colby Wilson. 

At the end of the line they were given their overseas "vaccinations" and a smiley face sticker for being good patients. 

They were then directed to their deployment briefing with Brig. Gen. O.G. Mannon, 82nd Training Wing commander. 

"Are you ready for war?" the general said. "You're going to take a little trip and see what your mom and dad do for a living... Is everybody ready to go do this mission?" 

The children responded with "Sir, yes sir!" 

The departing kids boarded buses for their pretend flight to the deployment location, the medical readiness site. As the buses took off, the passengers were saluted by General Mannon, Col. David Norsworthy, 82nd TRW vice commander, Chief Master Sgt. Kenneth Sallinger, 82nd command chief, Master Sgt. David Hubbard, 82nd LRS and Tech. Sgt. Leonard Norris, 82nd LRS. 

When they arrived, Col. Daniel Torweihe, the 80th Flying Training Wing vice commander, briefed them. 

"Did you guys have a good plane ride?" he asked. "This is where we'll be living for the next six months." 

He assisted the children with naming their site. The first chalk chose to name their site Camp Wichita. 

After the briefing, the kids were released to explore their site. They learned about different displays set up by the 82nd Security Forces Squadron, 82nd Civil Engineer Squadron, 82nd Medical Group and the Office of Special Investigations. 

"Hopefully, Operation KIDS will help the children understand military life and allow them to have a little fun in the process," General Mannon said.