Eglin youth deploy for Operation Hero
A young deployer holds tight to Captain America’s shield at Operation Hero April 18 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Staff Sgt. Kurtis Harrison, of the 96th Communications Squadron, had the honor of portraying Captain America as the Air Force Materiel Command’s non-commissioned officer of the year. More than 275 kids participated in this year’s event which is a mock deployment experience created to give military children a glimpse of what their loved ones go through when they leave home. The kids went through a deployment line to get their dog tags and “immunizations” before they were briefed by the commander and shipped off to a deployed location. There, they participated in various activities and demonstrations put on by local base agencies. (U.S. Air Force photo/Sara Vidoni)