Operation Heroes deploys for family resiliency Published June 3, 2014 By Senior Airman Stephanie Sauberan Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Children of military personnel serving at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., participated in a mock deployment to "Kidakistan" as part of Operation Heroes May 31, 2014. The goal of the event was to show the children what it is like for their parents when they deploy and thus help to build resiliency within their families by fostering a better understanding of their parent's jobs, said Master Sgt. Matthew Bowley, 5th Force Support Squadron, Airman and Family Readiness Center readiness NCO. This was not the first time the event has been hosted in Minot, however, this year's Operation Heroes deployment was the first to occur in more than three years. "The last time the event was held at Minot was the year before the flood," Bowley said. "The first time it was held was in 2009 after the Air Force's operations tempo picked up and more Airmen began to deploy." The night before the event, participants received a phone call and were informed of their immanent deployment to Kidakistan. Approximately 500 people participated in the event, said Master Sgt. Anton Olson 5th FSS, AFRC readiness NCO in charge. There were 160 children, 100 plus parents, more than 100 volunteers and a variety of representatives from various base agencies. The day started out at the base theater where the children were split up into two groups. The older participants ages 12 and up were separated from their parents and chaperones and sent on a special mission with security forces Airmen while the younger children and adults were bused to dock nine. The younger group, accompanied by the adult chaperones and parents, participated in a full deployment line complete with mock shot records, interactive activities and face painting. "Roughly 25 different agencies set up displays at Dock Nine," said Olson. The displays ranged from small and hands on to a static B-52H Stratofortress and spread from the inside of the dock out into the bright sunny weather. "The stretcher was a lot of fun," said Evelyn Ward, daughter of Capt. Jefferey Ward, 69th Bomb Squadron radar navigator after she was unstrapped from a gurney on which 5th Medical group personnel had given her a ride. "I liked that I got to lay down." In addition to the 5th Medical groups displays, groups such as explosive ordinance disposal, the tactical response force, air and ground equipment and a variety of other groups offered hands on displays and allowed the children to view and handle tools and gear associated with their career fields. "My favorite part was the B-52," said Carder Williston, son of Master Sgt. Aaron Williston, 705th Munitions Squadron assistant NCO in charge of missile maintenance, as he waited in line to board the aircraft. "I like it the most because it's so big." While the younger group were participating in the deployment line and viewing the displays, the older children were traveling in a convoy with security forces Airmen on a special mission to recapture a "package," said Bowley. The day's festivities wrapped up at Bud Ebert Park where the children and adults were reunited and treated to a cook out. "This event is an important way to help build resiliency within a family," said Bowley. "By participating in a mock deployment children are able to see their parent's job through their eyes and gain a better understanding of what being in the Air Force is like. This in turn helps to build the families bond as a whole."