Operation Dyess Kids gives military children ‘deployment’ experience

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Carolyn Viss
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Dyess' Airman and Family Readiness Center hosted the fourth annual Operation Dyess Kids event here June 15 in order to give children of military servicemembers the opportunity to see a "fun" version of deployment. 

More than 200 children attended the event, which ran them through every step of an ordinary deployment, from a personnel deployment function line to reintegration. 

"The purpose is to give children a view of what a deployment is like and what their parents go through," said Ed Hollyfield, 7th Mission Support Squadron AFRC flight chief. He said the AFRC is the primary contact for family readiness, and Staff Sgt. Paula Browning took the reigns of this year's production because she wanted to do it for Dyess' children. 

"The kids ran through a PDF line, received a deployment briefing, and experienced the blue bus to the flight line for a tour of the C-130," Sergeant Browning said. "Then, they were brought back to the Hanger Center parking lot where we set up a 'deployed environment' equipped with tents, a fire truck, EOD robots' and tons of fun stuff to do." 

Back in the Hagar Center, the kids received a certificate of completion to remember the whole experience of "Tasmania, Australia," their pseudo-deployed destination. Just like real world, the deployment ended with a welcome back party, she said. 

All bases are encouraged to host similar events because of the impact deployment has on military families, Mr. Hollyfield said. 

"It really gave my children a better idea of what my husband goes through when he deploys," said Jennifer Philipp, whose husband, Mark, is a staff sergeant in the 7th Logistics Readiness Squadron. "Seeing the plane and the rest of the events helped them understand what he's doing out there." 

Sergeant Browning did an awesome job of planning, coordinating, and overseeing the event, Mr. Hollyfield said. Her efforts were truly outstanding. 

She, however, took very little credit for the event's success. 

"The deployment ... would not have been possible without the personnel of Dyess Air Force Base, family members, and the community of Abilene. We extend our deepest gratitude for your support in touching our service members and the families of Dyess Air Force Base," Sergeant Browning said. 

The Airman and Family Readiness Center wishes to thank the following sponsors of Operation Dyess Kids 2007:The Commissary, Chief's Group, Officer Spouse Group, Chapel, AAFES, Airman Advisory Council, and the Hangar Center.