CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
More than 40 children from Charleston AFB took part in the fifth annual mock deployment line March 7 to experience first hand what their parents go through when preparing to deploy.
The operation, dubbed "Operation Save the Lemurs," gave military children a taste of what it's like to prepare for a deployment in support of military operations around the world.
The children arrived at the 437th Logistics Readiness Squadron War Readiness Center at 9 a.m. to prepare for their deployment to Madagascar. Here they received their orders and dog tags along with a checklist of tasks they needed to accomplish before their deployment.
Each child had to make sure they received all their necessary documentation including their shot records, emergency data records and passports.
While going through the deployment line, the children were given a packet of information including travel orders and things to watch out for while deployed to Madagascar.
Not only did the children get to see the paper work their parents had to complete before deploying, but they had the opportunity to try on various pieces of equipment their parents would be issued . The equipment included Kevlar helmets, Kevlar vests and protective gas masks. The children also had a chance to lie down in a sleeping bag their parents used while deployed to a remote location, which had a protective net to keep away bugs and other pests.
The main focus of the deployment line was to give the children an opportunity to re-enact what their parents go through every time they prepare to deploy.
"The kids do not totally understand what is going on," said Tech. Sgt. Maria Bare, 1st Combat Camera Squadron. "They kind of get a drift of the unit exposure. It is important that the children get more exposure to the active-duty processes."
Her son, Robert Bare, 12, thought the whole experience was "a lot of fun," and learned a little bit about what his mom goes through.
Upon completion of all mandatory documentation, the children and parents quickly piled into a bus and headed to the flightline to board a C-17. Here, the children had the opportunity to see what a C-17 looked like both inside and out.
"There are a lot of buttons on the plane and it looks so cool," said Zayra Alvarado, 7, daughter of Tech. Sgt. Angel Alvarado, 437th Communications Squadron. "I like it a lot."
The day was not only about preparing for the deployment, they were also able to get their face painted, see "McGruff" the crime dog and "Sparky" the fire dog. A handful of children also got the chance to operate a robot used by explosive ordinance teams here at Charleston.
"I think it is always important children understand and know what it involves for their parents to leave," said Col. Joseph Mancy, 437th Airlift Wing acting vice commander. "Most importantly, this event shows that there is a support system at home for both family members and active-duty members.