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Operation Take-Flight

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Team Shaw welcomes home Operation Take-Flight participants as they return from their simulated deployment to the fictional country Shawkikistan Sept. 17. Children ages 4 to12 got to experience what their mom and dad go through when deploying, which gives them a better understanding of the deployment process and helps relieve anxiety. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Airman David Minor)

Operation Take-Flight

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Alexis Bartlett, daughter of Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Bartlett, 20th Medical Support Squadron, receives processing paperwork from Airman 1st Class Phil Collar and Tech. Sgt. Andrea Freeland, 20th Fighter Wing Judge Advocates office, before heading out on a simulated deployment to the fictional country Shawkikistan Sept. 17. Children, ages 4 through 12, got to experience what mom and dad go through when deploying, which gives them a better understanding of the deployment process and helps relieve anxiety. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman David Minor)

Operation Take-Flight

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Airman 1st Class Justin Salzman, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department, helps Trystan Gray, age four, son of Staff Sgt. Richard Gray 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron, into a fire suit during "Operation Take-Flight", which is a simulated deployment to the fictional country Shawkikistan Sept. 17. Children, ages 4 through 12, got to experience what mom and dad go through when deploying which gives them a better understanding of the deployment process and helps relieve anxiety. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman David Minor)

Operation Take-Flight

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- "Operation Take-Flight" participants begin to board the bus as they head to the fictional country Shawkikistan for their simultaed deployment experience Sept. 17. Children, ages 4 to12, got to experience what their mom and dad go through when deploying, which gives them a better understanding of the deployment process and helps relieve anxiety. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman David Minor)

Operation Take-Flight

Published Sept. 23, 2009
By Senior Airman David Minor
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Operation Take-Flight began with 129 children ranging from 4 to 12 years of age passing through the Chandler Deployment Processing Center, and ended with a homecoming celebration as they returned safely from their simulated deployment to Shawkikistan.

Before deploying, the children went through the process line, just like Mom or Dad, receiving their paperwork and simulated shots from public health. They also stopped by stations representing the legal office, the finance office, the chaplains, and the Airman & Family Readiness Center. After the deployment briefing the children were off to Shawkikistan.

The main purpose for the deployment is to educate and help children understand the deployment process and give them the opportunity to experience what their mom or dad does when they are headed out the door through a deployment line. The children also had the opportunity to try on some of the equipment used during deployments such as web belts, chemical gear, helmets and gas masks.

During their stay at Shawkikistan the children received briefings from pollution control and recycle, and the 20th Security Forces Squadron. Children also tried on fire protection gear, and sat in a fire truck. An ambulance static display gave children the hands-on experience of getting strapped to a stretcher.

Explosive ordnance disposal Airmen gave the children a chance to see what a bomb suit looked like up close, and showed their abilities with the Segway and bomb-fighting robots. After arriving back at the DPC the children were welcomed home by a group of servicemembers and volunteers waving flags and holding signs.

"This is very important for members who are getting ready to deploy," said Master Sgt. Marsha Madsen, Airmen and Family Readiness Center NCO. "This is a great opportunity for them to take their children through this process. Children can experience an array of emotions when a parent is getting ready to leave, but they may not always know how to express themselves.

"Operation Take-Flight is a good tool to help children understand that Mom or Dad is prepared and ready to go."