Ready, set, deploy!

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Veronica Stamps
  • 49th Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Almost 100 children from Team Holloman prepared to deploy to "Base X," set up at the Basic Expeditionary Airfield Resources Base, during the Airman and Family Readiness Center's Operation K.I.D., or Kids Investigating Deployment.

After being recalled at 7 a.m. to the Domenici Fitness and Sports Center, children processed through a deployment line to get their dog tags, deployment orders and mobility bags.

Once they were gathered into different chalks, they listened to U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Gerardo Tapia, 49th Wing command chief, give some advice on what to expect when tasked to go down range.

"I think you guys are some of our youngest and bravest warriors that we have out here today," he said. "You guys make absolutely incredible sacrifices every single day. Today you're actually going to go out and deploy. I've taken a look at your orders and it looks like your security paperwork is done, so at the end of the day you're going to know what it's like to go through a deployment line."

Volunteers who helped with the simulated deployment were also prepared to show the kids what it is like to be war-time ready.

"It's great to see the impact on the kids' lives, seeing them experience what we go through in the deployment process," said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jonathan Murphy, 49th Maintenance Operation Squadron. "It gives them the feel and experience of being involved with that so when we deploy the next time they have some familiarity with it."

Before loading onto the buses to be transported to their area of responsibility at BEAR Base, some looked forward to another year being 'tasked' for Operation K.I.D.

"I'm looking forward to seeing the guns," said Joshua Romero, son of U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Matthew Romero, 49th Maintenance Squadron. "My favorite part last year was the snake so I'm hoping they have the creatures in the jars again."

After getting off the buses, the children sat inside a tent where they received their intelligence briefings on Iraq and Afghanistan, including climate, religion, languages and other country facts.

Legal and finance personnel were also there to show them all the legal documents to get their benefits and financial paperwork to get their 'Krumm' dollars before leaving their home station.

Military members who volunteered to be chalk leaders then took their 'deployers' to tents that showcased different stations of what to expect to see down range.

The 49th Security Forces brought grenade launchers, shotguns and 50 caliber machine guns to show the children the variety of weapons their parents use to defend themselves when they are deployed. They also climbed inside an M1116 up-armored high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle showcased by the 49th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordinance Disposal team.

Firefighters from the 49th CES let the children hold onto a running fire hose for hands-on experience.

Allowing the children to step into individual protective equipment and individual body armor, Airmen from the 49th Logistics Readiness Squadron provided over 20 chemical warfare uniforms to try on.

They then witnessed a runway repair demonstration performed by the 49th Materiel Support Squadron using a mobile aircraft arresting system.

Tasting Meals Ready to Eat provided by the 49th Force Support Squadron, they sampled a few packaged entrees like spaghetti with meat sauce, chicken with noodles and pot roast with vegetables.

Other treats and snacks were available inside the civilian tent. Members of the American Legion Auxiliary and United Services Organization gave away goodie bags, books and art tools used to decorate frames they could send to their parents when deployed.

"We come out and bring the goodies for the kids and also show them what we bring to the table for their parents and what's provided down range," said Eva Gonzales, United Services Organization mobile canteen and volunteer coordinator in El Paso, Texas. "We show them what the USO does, bringing home to their parents while they're gone to uplift their spirits."

When the children were done touring each tent, they returned back to the fitness center where the A&FRC welcomed them back with a banner in front of the entry way.

"We wanted to emphasize that when their parents go somewhere, a lot of times they go and there is nothing there and BEAR base goes and sets up all the hardened facilities and everything," said Susan Hunter, A&FRC community readiness technician. "They're able to see how their mom and dad make this whole thing happen with water, food and somewhere to sleep, making it as comfortable for them so they can keep us free."