KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Kirtland Air Force Base kids experienced the rigors of deployment through the Hearts Apart program last Friday.
The Youth Deployment Line has been occurring for the past 10 years. “The main thing is to show them what their parents go through when deploying,” said Airman and Family Readiness Center Director Ray Burton.
The kids went through mobilization stations at the Mobility Processing Center on base.
Here they received briefings on the weather, pests such as camel spiders and safety. Then at each station, the kids were issued items for their trip, like pillows, water bottles, glow sticks and a stuffed animal. The Route 66 Civitan Club made and donated the pillows.
When asked how he felt about the deployment line, Cameron Repasky, 5, said it was a lot of fun. He added, “I will miss my family when I’m deployed.”
After visiting the stations and getting to watch part of the movie “The Incredibles,” the kids were bused to the 58th Special Operations Wing’s Airfield ramp.
With the SOW, they saw static displays of an HH-60 Pavehawk, UH-1N Huey, CV-22 Opsrey and C-130.
“The kids love to sit in the pilot’s seat and try on the helmets,” said 377th Force Support Squadron senior enlisted advisor Senior Master Sgt. Maurice Robinson.
The youth explored the aircraft and received demonstrations on hoist harnesses from 58th personnel. Connor Katz, 2, said he loves all the planes but the helicopters were his favorite.
“This is an awesome program to give kids a chance to see what their parents go though,” said Kim Muñoz of the Airmen and Family Readiness Center.
After the static displays, the youth were going to have lunch with the 377th Security Forces Squadron and see a combat skills demonstration.
“I thought this was cool and a fun experience,” said Anissa Reyes, 11.