KUDOS offers a fun, educational view of deployments

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Candy Knight
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Not even a force-reduction could keep Camp KUDOS from opening Oct. 3, as more than 400 deployers, ages 18 and younger, once again deployed in support of the camp's operational mission.

The Kids Understanding Deployment Operations, better known as KUDOS, was a 60th Services Squadron-sponsored event designed to give family members a realistic observational understanding of what servicemembers go through before, during and after deployments.

During inprocessing, the children were issued uniforms consisting of a KUDOS t-shirt, dog-tags and helmets, and had their face adorned with war paint. They also received their KUDOS bag, complete with KUDOS bars, military challenge coins, gift items from the chapel and, most importantly, their passports.

"Don't lose your passport," Staff Sgt. Christina Re, KUDOS volunteer from the 60th Medical Operations Squadron informed the deployers. "If you lose it, you won't be able to return home."

The children and their loved ones were given outprocessing briefs by their troop commanders and had the opportunity to view various items such as communications equipment and chemical warfare gear their military parents use during deployments.

"I always heard my husband talk about his 'chem gear,' but I never saw what it looked like until today, said Tracey Ellison, wife of Maj. Greg Ellison, 15th Air Mobility Operations Squadron. "It is great to finally see what he has been talking about and be a part of it. I'm loving it."

Afterwards, the deployers boarded a C-5 Galaxy enroute to their destination. Though there was no in-flight movie, the deployers did learn more about the aircraft and the types of cargo it can carry.

The deployers arrived at Camp KUDOS, where they viewed demonstrations from the 60th Civil Engineer's Explosive Ordinance Disposal robot, fire department and the 60th Services Squadron's Mobile Kitchen Unit. They also visited the medical tent and cultural tent.

"Don't forget to always wash your hands, especially when you enter the medical tent," Capt. Vu Le, 60th Medical Operations Squadron, told the deployers.

After supporting Camp KUDOS' mission, the deployers returned to Travis with not only a hero's welcome, but also a better understanding of what their military parent(s) experience during a deployment.

"I don't know where my dad is exactly, but I know he is all right," said Marshall Ellison.

"The goal of this event was to give the children and other loved ones a chance to experience their own 'deployment' while having a little fun," said Shenethia Carter, 60th Services Squadron. "I think this event went extremely well. It took a tremendous effort from Team Travis, but the children had fun and learned at the same time and that's what it all about."

The overall goal of the event was not lost on the parents who accompanied the deployers on their mission. 

"I want to say thank you to the event planners because this was a really great tour," said Katrina Duncan, wife of Maj. Steffen Duncan, 6th Air Refueling Wing. "The children are really enjoying themselves. My son was named 'best saluter' in his group. His dad is going to be so proud."