Edwards youth deploy to Camp Raven for Operation KUDOS

  • Published
  • By Airman Mikeal A. Young
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Several Edwards kids discovered first-hand what their parents go through in preparation for deployments during Operation KUDOS at the Oasis Community Center on Saturday. 

Operation KUDOS, or Kids Understanding Deployment Operations, is geared to provide Edwards children the opportunity to process through a deployment line and deploy. 

"I think this is a good program for the children to have a fun, learning experience," said Staff Sgt. Juan Rivera Jr., noncommissioned officer in charge of patient administration for the 95th Medical Support Squadron. 

Col. Michael Woolley, 95th Mission Support Group commander, gave kids a briefing on what they could expect out of the day and the importance of Operation KUDOS. 

"We hope greater knowledge will lower the children's anxiety about deployment," said Mike Wright, Airman and Family Readiness Center section chief. "It also creates a good family experience." 

After the briefing, the kids lined up to go through the deployment line, where they experienced everything from getting checked out by the 95th Medical Group personnel to having their faces painted in camouflage by volunteers from the 95th Security Forces Squadron. 

"A big priority to Operation KUDOS is mirroring, as close as possible, what actually happens in the deployment process," said Staff Sgt. Marcelo Rivera, AFRC assistant noncommissioned officer in charge. 

Mimicking the deployment process, the children also received orders about what they needed to do and a map of where they were going. They also received a mixture of flavored powder and water to represent vaccinations shots and mobility bags filled with items to use on their deployment. 

"The goal is to get them close to the real deal," Sergeant Marcelo Rivera said. 

The 95th SFS also gave presentations with their K-9 units and some of the different weapons used in combat. Meanwhile, the fire department displayed their equipment and demonstrated some of the things they do while deployed. 

The children were also allowed inside a humvee. 

"We deployed the kids to give them a feeling of getting away from home and going to a deployed location," Sergeant Marcelo Rivera said. 

After the mock deployment, family and friends greeted their children with a homecoming celebration. 

"KUDOS is a very good program," Mr. Wright said. "Hopefully, as time goes on, it will continue to grow."