Operation Junior Heroes to familiarize kids with deployment process

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DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The Ladies Auxiliary Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Airman & Family Readiness Center here will be presenting "Operation Junior Heroes" at D-M Nov. 15 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The event is a simulated deployment for servicemembers' dependent children, ages 5-17. "Recruits" will start at Heritage Park here, where they'll be put into groups of 20-25. Then, their squad leader will give them their "orders" and bus them to the mobility building so they can receive their uniform, equipment, gear, mock immunizations, and pre-deployment briefing.

After they finish the mobility processing, they'll get on another bus and travel to "Camp Lightning" at Desert Lightning City here. They'll visit numerous tents at the camp, each with a different activity, including the following: medical unit and first aid station, explosive ordnance disposal, Office of Special Investigations, security, chapel, mess hall, recreation hall, protective MOPP suits, and global positioning satellite equipment. The parents, of course, will be present and involved throughout.

Kim Sloan, the project officer from the LAVFW, said the kids will "experience the pre-deployment and deployment process that their parents actually experience."

After their visit to Camp Lightning, the kids and their parents will return to Heritage Park for a "homecoming" celebration, where they'll be greeted by a rousing crowd of supporters and free refreshments. Also, military leaders will present each child with a certificate and a special Operation Junior Heroes dog tag.

"We're very fortunate to have the opportunity to team up with the VFW to make this event happen on D-M," said Tech Sgt. Tina Marin of the A&FRC.

Ms. Sloan added, "We've also received outstanding support from the local community to help make this event happen. These donors recognize the importance of military children having this experience."

More than 200 children and parents are scheduled to attend. 

Media interested in covering this event should contact the 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs office at 228-4291. If interested, tentatively plan to arrive at the Craycroft Gate Visitors' Center at 7:45 a.m. Media will then shadow the first group of participants throughout the process, and depart the base at about 11 a.m.