Operation Dyess Kids gives unique perspective

  • Published
  • By Airman Charles V. Rivezzo
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The Dyess Airman & Family Readiness Center hosted the 8th annual Operation Dyess Kids event here June 17 to give children of servicemembers the opportunity to see a "fun" version of deployment.

More than 250 Dyess children ages 4-11 participated in the mock deployment, which took them through each step of an ordinary deployment.

"This is a special event," said Master Sgt. John Miles, Airman & Family Readiness Center superintendent. "The purpose of Operation Dyess Kids is to help the children understand why their parents deploy and what their parents go through during a deployment, as well as ease some of the tension that children have about their parent's deployments."

The children began by going through a military processing line where they were given dog tags, identification cards and T-shirts. They were then briefed on their upcoming "mission" and put through a short physical training exercise from the Marines of Detachment 1 stationed here.

The children then boarded a C-130 that would take them to their "deployed" location. While inside, they were able to tour the aircraft and ask questions about what their parents do while deployed.

Once they exited the plane minutes later, their deployment was complete and they were able to go to their "welcome-home celebration." The celebration included food, face-painting, a blowup obstacle course and a crowd favorite dunking booth.

Static displays from the Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit, fire department as well as security forces also highlighted the event.

More than 150 volunteers ensured the children got the full deployment experience.

"Dyess volunteers really showed up in full force," said Sergeant Miles. "It's great to see how much support this event gets from the Dyess community."