Heroes

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D.—Staff Sgt. Jamell Collins, 91st Security Forces Squadron, gets hugged by kids participating in Operation Heroes here, Sept. 19. Operations Heroes is an event for children to go through a mock deployment to simulate what their parents goes through when preparing to deploy. The older children went on a “special mission” where they learned military formation and how to detain suspects. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Matthew Smith)

Heroes

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Participants in Operation Heroes apply face paint to Staff Sgt. David Lunsford, 91st Security Forces here, Sept. 19. Operations Heroes is an event for children to go through a mock deployment to simulate what their parents goes through when preparing to deploy. The older children went on a “special mission” where they learned military formation and how to detain suspects. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Matthew Smith)

Heroes

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Senior Airman Michael Olson, 5th Security Forces Squadron, shows Participants in Operation Heroes how to approach a suspect here, Sept. 19. Operations Heroes is an event for children to go through a mock deployment to simulate what their parents goes through when preparing to deploy. The older children went on a “special mission” where they learned military formation and how to detain suspects. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Matthew Smith)

Heroes

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Participants in Operation Heroes low-crawl though the grass here, Sept. 19. Operations Heroes is an event for children to go through a mock deployment to simulate what their parents goes through when preparing to deploy. The older children went on a “special mission” where they learned military formation and how to detain suspects. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Matthew Smith)

Heroes

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Children jump around in the bounce house during Operations Heroes here, Sept. 19. Operations Heroes is an event for children to go through a mock deployment to simulate what their parents goes through when preparing to deploy. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Matthew Smith)

Heroes

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Participants in Operation Heroes board a bus to be taken out to a “special mission” here, Sept. 19. Operations Heroes is an event for children to go through a mock deployment to simulate what their parents goes through when preparing to deploy. The older children went on a “special mission” where they learned military formation and how to detain suspects. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Matthew Smith)

Heroes

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Participants in Operation Heroes perform a danger crossing of a road here, Sept. 19. Operations Heroes is an event for children to go through a mock deployment to simulate what their parents goes through when preparing to deploy. The older children went on a “special mission” where they learned military formation and how to detain suspects. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Matthew Smith)

Operation HEROES a hit at "Camp Ali FUNdeid"

Published Sept. 22, 2009
By Senior Airman Wesley Wright
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Hundreds of children and their families turned out for the third annual "Operation HEROES" Sept. 19 and participated in predeployment activities to "Camp Ali FUNdeid."

The purpose of the event was to give children of deploying family members a better understanding of what their military parents go through in order to deploy. The young "warriors" were given briefings by various base agencies such as finance, public health and the chapel.

Additionally, older youth got to experience the deployment setting at the cantonment area where tent city was displayed. At another location, young people got hands on experience with everything from a fire truck to an explosive ordnance demolition robot.

"All the squadrons came together to show kids how important they are to the mission and to show what moms and dads do when they deploy," said Master Sgt. Brian Westerman, Airman and Family Readiness Center personal and family readiness noncommissioned officer-in-charge, and one of the event coordinators. "They do everything from going through a predeployment flight line to getting their shot records and their dog tags."

Event organizers even 'recalled' all the kids the last couple of nights to let them know they needed to report for this deployment to Camp Ali FUNdeid.

Last year's event saw more than 400 family members participate in the deployment to "KIDakastan," up almost 200% from its first year. This year saw similar numbers at approximately 400 participants.

"It's outstanding to see the children here," Sergeant Westerman said. "To me, they're the heroes for us. The military child goes through a lot, moving from base to base, dealing with deployments, transitioning to different schools and things like that."

A father of two, Sergeant Westerman had a vested interest in the event and was excited to see his children getting hands-on experience with predeployment activities.

"I've been on a few deployments and it's great having my son and daughter here experiencing what I went through when I deployed," he added. "The deployment process is a challenging process and for the kids to go through it and see what I do when I deploy is outstanding."

Another parent proud to see her children involved in the day's events was Laurie Arellano, Minot AFB chief of public affairs.

"I could tell that they really got it," Arellano said. "It's all they talked about afterwards. I think they'll understand it more the next time I get deployed."
Arellano's 11-year-old daughter, Allie, loved the experience.

"It was fun," Allie said. "They kept us busy crawling through an obstacle course and we learned about challenging procedures. I can't wait to do it again next year!"

Sergeant Westerman was happy kids like Allie enjoyed the experience.

"You can look at the smiles on their faces and see how much they enjoy it," Sergeant Westerman said. "It's just an outstanding event. It brings everybody together. These kids are important because they're the reason we protect the freedoms we enjoy."

Sergeant Westerman said the event would not have been possible without the extensive volunteer support from base personnel. More than 200 volunteers donated their time and efforts to the event.

For more information or to find out how to be involved in next year's Operation HEROES, contact the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 723-6882.