Eglin Air Force Base

Operation Hero: mock deployment for 'mil kids'

A troop of 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) kids pose for their parents in matching unit logo t-shirts during Operation Hero Sept. 30 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. More than 470 kids participated in the event set up to show the process their parents go through before they leave home. They participated in three phases.The first included a deployment line for dog tag issue and 'immunizations.' After a brief from the commander they moved on to Phase Two activities set up by base organizations. The last phase included a welcome home lunch. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)

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Operation Hero: mock deployment for 'mil kids'

Dog tags sit ready for pick up during the Operation Hero event Sept. 30 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. More than 470 kids participated in the event set up to show the process their parents go through before they leave home. They participated in three phases. The first included a deployment line for dog tag issue and “immunizations.” After a brief from the commander they moved on to Phase Two activities set up by base organizations. The last phase included a welcome home lunch. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)

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Operation Hero: mock deployment for 'mil kids'

Staff Sergeant Shane Massie, 96th Security Forces Squadron, helps his son with his dog tag during Operation Hero Sept. 30 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. More than 470 kids participated in the event set up to show the process their parents go through before they leave home. They participated in three phases. The first included a deployment line for dog tag issue and “immunizations.” After a brief from the commander they moved on to Phase Two activities set up by base organizations. The last phase included a welcome home lunch. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)

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Operation Hero: mock deployment for 'mil kids'

Young Airmen check in at the Operation Hero processing line Sept. 30 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. More than 470 kids participated in the event set up to show the process their parents go through before they leave home. They participated in three phases. The first included a deployment line for dog tag issue and “immunizations.” After a brief from the commander they moved on to Phase Two activities set up by base organizations. The last phase included a welcome home lunch. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)

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Operation Hero: mock deployment for 'mil kids'

An Eglin dad carries his little girl through the deployment processing line at Operation Hero Sept. 30 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. More than 470 kids participated in the event set up to show the process their parents go through before they leave home. They participated in three phases. The first included a deployment line for dog tag issue and “immunizations.” After a brief from the commander they moved on to Phase Two activities set up by base organizations. The last phase included a welcome home lunch. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)

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Operation Hero: mock deployment for 'mil kids'

A little deployer leans into Airman 1st Class Zaskira Cabrera, 96th Force Support Squadron, before physical training during Operation Hero Sept. 30 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.More than 470 kids participated in the event set up to show the process their parents go through before they leave home. They participated in three phases. The first included a deployment line for dog tag issue and “immunizations.” After a brief from the commander they moved on to Phase Two activities set up by base organizations. The last phase included a welcome home lunch. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)

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Operation Hero: mock deployment for 'mil kids'

Little deployers line up to wait for orders from Brig. Gen. Dertien, 96th Test Wing commander, during Operation Hero Sept. 30 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. More than 470 kids participated in the event set up to show the process their parents go through before they leave home. They participated in three phases. The first included a deployment line for dog tag issue and “immunizations.” After a brief from the commander they moved on to Phase Two activities set up by base organizations. The last phase included a welcome home lunch. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)

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Operation Hero: mock deployment for 'mil kids'

A mom fastens her child's helmet during Operation Hero Sept. 30 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.More than 470 kids participated in the event set up to show the process their parents go through before they leave home. They participated in three phases. The first included a deployment line for dog tag issue and “immunizations.” After a brief from the commander they moved on to Phase Two activities set up by base organizations. The last phase included a welcome home lunch. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)

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Operation Hero: mock deployment for 'mil kids'

A 96th Logistics Readiness Support Airman, adjusts a young deployer’s helmet during Operation Hero Sept. 30 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. More than 470 kids participated in the event set up to show the process their parents go through before they leave home. They participated in three phases. The first included a deployment line for dog tag issue and “immunizations.” After a brief from the commander they moved on to Phase Two activities set up by base organizations. The last phase included a welcome home lunch. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)

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Operation Hero: mock deployment for 'mil kids'

Master Sgt. Sarah Jolly, 96th Force Support Squadron, ensures the young deployer’s post office is stocked with mailing supplies during Operation Hero Sept. 30 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. More than 470 kids participated in the event set up to show the process their parents go through before they leave home. They participated in three phases.The first included a deployment line for dog tag issue and 'immunizations.' After a brief from the commander they moved on to Phase Two activities set up by base organizations. The last phase included a welcome home lunch. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)

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Operation Hero: mock deployment for 'mil kids'

Rolls of Operation Hero t-shirts and name tags from the mock deployment roster sit ready for pick up during the event Sept. 30 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. More than 470 kids participated in the event set up to show the process their parents go through before they leave home. They participated in three phases. The first included a deployment line for dog tag issue and “immunizations.” After a brief from the commander they moved on to Phase Two activities set up by base organizations. The last phase included a welcome home lunch. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)

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Operation Hero: mock deployment for 'mil kids'

A 96th Logistics Readiness Support Airman, helps young deployer, Adalia Chapman with foam dart target practice during Operation Hero Sept. 30 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. More than 470 kids participated in the event set up to show the process their parents go through before they leave home. They participated in three phases.The first included a deployment line for dog tag issue and 'immunizations.' After a brief from the commander they moved on to Phase Two activities set up by base organizations. The last phase included a welcome home lunch. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)

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Operation Hero: mock deployment for 'mil kids'

A 96th Logistics Readiness Support Airman, chuckles as young deployer, Adalia Chapman, topples her target during Operation Hero Sept. 30 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. More than 470 kids participated in the event set up to show the process their parents go through before they leave home. They participated in three phases. The first included a deployment line for dog tag issue and 'immunizations.' After a brief from the commander they moved on to Phase Two activities set up by base organizations. The last phase included a welcome home lunch. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)

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Operation Hero: mock deployment for 'mil kids'

96th Logistics Readiness Support Airmen, help young deployer’s with foam dart target practice as three-year-old Amelia Feldman gages her target during Operation Hero Sept. 30 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. More than 470 kids participated in the event set up to show the process their parents go through before they leave home. They participated in three phases.The first included a deployment line for dog tag issue and 'immunizations.' After a brief from the commander they moved on to Phase Two activities set up by base organizations. The last phase included a welcome home lunch. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)

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Operation Hero: mock deployment for 'mil kids'

A 96th Civil Engineer Group Explosive Ordnance Disposal Airman, helps a young deployer try on heavy gear during Operation Hero Sept. 30 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. More than 470 kids participated in the event set up to show the process their parents go through before they leave home. They participated in three phases.The first included a deployment line for dog tag issue and 'immunizations.' After a brief from the commander they moved on to Phase Two activities set up by base organizations. The last phase included a welcome home lunch. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)

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Operation Hero: mock deployment for 'mil kids'

Noah Hyden, holds on to his ‘immunizations’ during Operation Hero Sept. 30 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. More than 470 kids participated in the event set up to show the process their parents go through before they leave home. They participated in three phases.The first included a deployment line for dog tag issue and 'immunizations.' After a brief from the commander they moved on to Phase Two activities set up by base organizations. The last phase included a welcome home lunch. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)

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Operation Hero: mock deployment for 'mil kids'

A young wingman helps a fellow deployer with physical training during Operation Hero Sept. 30 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. More than 470 kids participated in the event set up to show the process their parents go through before they leave home. They participated in three phases. The first included a deployment line for dog tag issue and 'immunizations.' After a brief from the commander they moved on to Phase Two activities set up by base organizations. The last phase included a welcome home lunch. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)

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Operation Hero: mock deployment for 'mil kids'

Staff Sergeant, Leah Bufalini-Balla, 96th Medical Group, bandages a young deployer’s arm during Operation Hero Sept. 30 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. More than 470 kids participated in the event set up to show the process their parents go through before they leave home. They participated in three phases.The first included a deployment line for dog tag issue and 'immunizations.' After a brief from the commander they moved on to Phase Two activities set up by base organizations. The last phase included a welcome home lunch. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)

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Operation Hero: mock deployment for 'mil kids'

An Airman shows a young deployer how to operate a turret gun during Operation Hero Sept. 30 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. More than 470 kids participated in the event set up to show the process their parents go through before they leave home. They participated in three phases.The first included a deployment line for dog tag issue and 'immunizations.' After a brief from the commander they moved on to Phase Two activities set up by base organizations. The last phase included a welcome home lunch. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)

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Operation Hero: mock deployment for 'mil kids'

Young deployers pose for a photo with Sparky, the Fire Dog during Operation Hero Sept. 30 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.More than 470 kids participated in the event set up to show the process their parents go through before they leave home. They participated in three phases.The first included a deployment line for dog tag issue and 'immunizations.' After a brief from the commander they moved on to Phase Two activities set up by base organizations. The last phase included a welcome home lunch. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)

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Mock deployment for 'mil kids'

Published Oct. 3, 2017