TOP STORY>>Kids give props to KUDOS

By Senior Airman Kaylee Clark
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

The Airman and Family Readiness Center sponsored its third annual Kids Understanding Deployment Operations April 5, 2014 Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. More than 750 Team Little Rock members participated in the event where multiple squadrons set up booths demonstrating to children the deployment process.

KUDOS’ purpose is to inform children about the deployment processes their parents go through each time they go down range. Its goal is to also lessen some of the anxiety children may have during a parent’s deployment.

Master Sgt. Steven Elliot, an assistant coordinator of KUDOS, said, “Kids see their parents leave for deployment, and today gives them a snapshot of what their parents go through and what it takes to deploy, and it also shows what happens down range.”

Elliot said, the event shows children what the aircraft looks like and what the fire department, security forces and other agencies do.

“I think it eases their anxiety,” he said.

Many of the displays and hands-on demonstrations for the children to view and participate in included: 19th Security Forces Squadron military working dog demonstrations, response vehicles, weapons displays, and a Nerf gun firing range; 19th Operation Support Squadron Aircrew Flight Equipment parachute interactive exhibit; Civil Engineer Squadron fire trucks, chemical warfare gear and Explosive Ordnance Disposal reconnaissance and disposal robot activities; and 19th Medical Group self- aid and buddy care activities.

Children attending said the event was fun, and they learned things about when their parents deploy.

Amber, 10, said the event helped her understand how hard it is for her dad to deploy. Her favorite part of the day was when the K-9 unit showed them how the dog holds onto the “bad guy” until its handler tells it to let go.

Among other displays, the chapel, finance, legal and Airman and Family Readiness Center assisted the children through a child-like version of the out processing checklist.

Seeing what their experience during the deployment process and down range, at a level they understand, children will hopefully be put more at ease, even if a little, when their parents have to deploy.