CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
More than 60 children from Charleston AFB took part in a mock deployment line here Feb. 9 to experience first hand what their parents go through when preparing to deploy.
The operation dubbed, "Operation Icecap," gave the children a taste of what it's like to prepare for a deployment in support of world wide missions.
Upon arriving at the 437th Logistics Readiness Squadron War Readiness Center to get ready for their deployment to Greenland, the children received their orders along with all necessary documentation including a passport, shot records and an out-processing sheet.
The day was not only about preparing the children for a deployment, they were also able to get their face painted, meet with "Scruff McGruff" the crime dog and "Sparky" the fire dog.
While going through the deployment line, the children were able to try on various pieces of equipment that would be issued during a deployment line such as Kevlar helmets and vests, protective gas masks and winter parkas.
More than just getting ready for a deployment line, this was a way for base leadership to say thank you to the spouses and children of military members who are or could be deployed.
"I want to thank you for carving out some time today to bring your kids out; I appreciate you coming out today," said Col. John "Red" Millander, 437th Airlift Wing commander.
Colonel Millander also highlighted the importance of showing the children the mobility process so they can be better prepared when a parent is deployed.
"We understand children who stay behind are an important part of our team," Colonel Millander said. "This is a great opportunity for them to see what mom and dad have to do before they deploy overseas. We are thrilled to see them here today."
He also went on to thank the volunteers who put together the event.
"I want to thank the volunteers who gave up a part of their Saturday to show kids what mom and dad do," the commander said.
Master Sgt. Julie Brannan, 437th Mission Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Flight, NCO in charge of readiness, explained the importance of the day for families.
"It's exciting to see the kids experience what their parents do when deploying," Sergeant Brannan said. "The event does a great job of educating the entire family. [The children] are more willing to help out in the absence of their parent, which makes the deployment smoother for the entire family. I'm glad we are able to have this event each year for the kids," she said.
The importance of the day was also seen by the parents of the children getting ready to be deployed.
"I think they can learn a lot about what dad goes through when he deploys," said Joy Finch, wife of Tech. Sgt. Jason Finch, 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft maintenance craftsman. "[Our children] got to see everything," she said.
Her daughter, Cheyanne Finch, 12, thought the whole experience was "pretty cool," and it is a way to help ease her mind when her dad deploys.
The experience taught her what people have to do when they deploy, Chayanne said. The children's deployment line helped her be comfortable when her dad deploys. "It helps me feel they are going to come back, because if anything happens [when they are deployed] they know what to do so they can come back," she said.