Whiteman kids ‘deploy’ in Operation Spirit

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Stephen Linch
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, MO --  Operation Spirit kicked off with an 8 a.m. phone call, which recalled more than 90 children to the deployment center Saturday. 

Operation Spirit was a simulated deployment designed to give children of 'deployed' and 'deployable' members the experience of what their parents must do prior to leaving for a deployment. 

After being recalled, the children reported to the deployment center at 9 a.m. to start in-processing. 

The children received ID cards, lanyards and Operation Spirit T-shirts. They checked in their bags, filled out their powers of attorney and watched a slide show of deployed troops while they waited for the opening briefing. 

Brig. Gen. Greg Biscone, 509th Bomb Wing commander, introduced himself to the children and made sure they were ready for their 'deployment.' 

"Today, you're getting a little taste of what it feels like for (your parents) when we run a deployment line as they're getting ready to go overseas," General Biscone said. 

Furthermore, he discussed the mission the parents supported. 

"I have the honor and privilege of working with your parents every day. Together we have the tough task of making sure that our nation remains free," General Biscone said. "You as their family members help them do their job." 

He finished his briefing by giving the children their mission for the day. After the general's briefing, the children watched the reenlistment ceremony of Staff Sgt. Gabriel DeVerney, 509th Maintenance Group, who volunteered to reenlist during Operation Spirit. 

After the ceremony, intelligence, weather and force protection briefings discussed some of the situations the children's parents face at deployed locations. 

When the briefings were done, the children were broken into five different age groups, to begin the rest of their in-processing. 

The children went through a deployment line where they received a mobility folder with orders, dog tags, immunization information, a heart rate and blood pressure check. 

They also had their powers of attorney stamped, and received candy and other goods from the chapel and Airmen and family readiness center. 

After completing the deployment line, the groups took turns going to the flight line to view static displays of a B-2 Spirit, AH-64 Apache, T-38 Talon and a C-130 Hercules. 

While at the T-38 and AH-64 Apache pilots talked to the children and showed them the aircraft. 

Capt. Andrew Murphy, 393d Bomb Squadron, helped the children put on flight suits at the B-2. 

The children were ready to board the 'deploying' C-130 following a brief tour of the B-2. 

The children sat down in the jump seats and buckled up while the cargo bay door of the C-130 closed. 

Once the 'flight' was completed, the children received a briefing from the loadmaster and returned home. 

As the group emerged from the C-130, they were welcomed home by a cheering crowd consisting of Airmen from the Airman leadership school. 

The participants received certificates and medallions for their actions during their 'deployment.' 

A barbecue awaited the recently returned 'deployers' and volunteers. 

The children camouflaged their faces with paint before setting off to view a variety of weapons from security forces. There was also a tent where they could sample Meals Ready to Eat, a display of explosive ordnance disposal truck and robots, an ambulance, a fire truck and a chance to try on chemical gear and flak vests. 

Operation Spirit ended with a military working dog demonstration performed by the 509th Security Forces Squadron. 

"Military children make the biggest sacrifice when their parents deploy," said Tech. Sgt. Karen Simpson, 509th Mission Support Squadron. "Operation Spirit is a way to help them better understand what their parents go through during a deployment."