School children deploy to Camp KUDOS

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kristina Barrett
  • 501st Combat Support Wing Public Affairs
RAF CROUGHTON --  The deployment line was set; everyone was in place and ready to go and when the first chalk arrived, Airmen sprang into action.
This wasn't a regular deployment line, the chalk contained children from Croughton's elementary school. The event was camp KUDOs - Kids Understanding Deployment Operations - and each child processing the line was there to understand what parent goes through when they deploy.
"This event is the first of its kind to come to Croughton," said Lt. Col. Terry Hayes, 422nd Air Base Group deputy commander. "I brought this idea with me from my last duty station because it was such a success."
Colonel Hayes wanted to bring this event to the 422nd because "I wanted to bring a small taste of what our active duty Airmen go through during the deployment process to our sons and daughters. The Air Force today talks about the need to take care of our families, and this is just one more opportunity. And, just the looks on the kids faces makes all our efforts worth it."
The colonel wasn't alone in his endeavor.
"Croughton's Airmen and Family Readiness Center did a lot of the legwork," he explained. "They spent about four months getting this project together."
The project enables military children to experience what their parents go through. Many were clad in camouflage uniform tops bearing their family name and each child was referred to by their parent's rank.
The processing line contained all the elements of a real deployment line - the chapel, legal, public health and of course, the ever popular immunizations clinic.
"I don't want a shot," wailed one first-grader. He had nothing to fear because Master Sgt. Eugene Presciti and Capt. Michael Pomager had no needles in their syringes. To soothe their fears, Staff Sgt Erin Wires handed out "malaria pills," small bags of candy and instructed patients "take one by mouth every five minutes."
After processing through the line, deployers were treated to a box lunch similar to flight meals. After a hearty lunch, they used their land navigation skills to take them to their deployed location.
Upon arriving, the children got their gear - flak vests, helmets and web belts - and learned about self aid and buddy care. Once they were prepared for their deployed environment, they received their weapon and low crawled, weaved and climbed their way through an obstacle course.
In all they day was a success, according to Col. John Jordan, 422nd ABG commander.
"This was a great day for the Croughton Community, our children learn what their parents go through to deploy and we all got to be with our children as they went through the deployment line," he said. "What a great way to increase understanding while bringing families closer together and I'm proud of the entire team that made this day such a huge success."