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Children on the front lines

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachelle Elsea
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  For the fourth year in a row, the Airman and Family Readiness Center hosted the annual Jr. Raptor program May 22 on Tyndall Air Force Base.

"The purpose of the program is to give children the ability to see what their parents might experience when they deploy," said Mrs. Michelle Tufano, 325th Force Support Squadron community readiness consultant. "We had 70 children participate and approximately 40 volunteers."

The event was free for children six to 17.

"They started off at the Youth Center for the Deployment Line," said Mrs. Tufano. "Then they had their face painted and were formed into flights based on age. While in their flights they learned facing movements and did some PT. Then they saw a K-9 demo and boarded buses to go to their deployment site out at RED HORSE. After their time out in RED HORSE, they returned back to the Youth Center where their parents were waiting for their big welcome home ceremony."

While out at the RED HORSE site, the children were given a tour of the site. They also rode in military vehicles, watched the fire team put a helicopter fire out, saw the Explosive Ordinance Disposal flight detonate a portion of a run way and much more.

"This was my first experience with Jr. Raptor and it was amazing," said Master Sgt. Edward Murray, 325th Security Forces Squadron first sergeant. "The folks at the Youth Center and AFRC did a great job putting it together. All the demos from K-9 to RED HORSE out at Silver Flag were outstanding."

Overall the event was a huge success and the children were especially excited to be a part of the journey.

"It's hard to say what the kids enjoyed more," said Sergeant Murray. "It could've been the simulated convoy, the fire truck, or the food at the deployed dining facility. No matter what event, the kids were kept engaged on the deployment process each of their parents have experienced or will experience. At the end of the day, everyone was still smiling and full of energy. It was a successful 'deployment'!"

For more photos from Jr. Raptor click here.