Understanding deployments the kid way Published Nov. 6, 2014 By Staff Sgt. Laura R. McFarlane 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- With the chill of the night still in the air on the morning of Nov. 1, 40 kids answered the call to duty during Operation Kids Investigating Deployment Services. Operation KIDS is an annual event designed to introduce military children to deployment operations that parents may experience. For those who have attended before, this year's operation was a bit different. "I approached this event from a security forces background and had the kids actually go through small versions of what security forces go through for training before deployment," said Tech. Sgt. Nathanael L. Meagher, 17th Force Support Squadron readiness NCO. These changes included moving the mobility line from the Event Center to the Vance Deployment Center, and holding the Marine obstacle course at the Camp Sentinel training village. Additionally, there was a Navy Shellback Ceremony, paintball shooting and grenade throwing with the Army, and pre-deployment training with the 17th Security Forces Squadron. Col. Kimberlee P. Joos, 17th Training Wing Commander, addressed the children before they deployed. She emphasized the importance of paying attention to their surroundings, watching out for wingmen and keeping everyone safe. Friends and family greeted the deployment returnees at the Vance Deployment Center. Joos presented the kids with certificates and asked what their favorite part of the day was. Every event was someone's favorite, and at the end of the day the bad guys lost and the good guys won.
