ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- As the morning sun shone through the windows of the Pride Hangar March 13, the 28th Force Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center kicked off a deployment education event.
The event, Kids, Spouses and Teachers Understanding Deployment Operations, or KUDOS, SUDOS and TUDOS, was designed to teach children and spouses of military members, as well as local teachers about the deployment process.
"We've held this event in previous years," said Tech. Sgt. Ann Mitchell, 28th FSS NCO in charge of readiness. "But this year is the first time we've used the Pride Hangar and invited teachers to the event."
Sergeant Mitchell said she felt it was important to invite teachers so they could gain a better understanding of what their students and parents go through during a deployment.
The children who participated in the event were able to experience a variety of demonstrations and displays from such base organizations as 28th Security Forces Squadron, 28th Logistics Readiness Squadron, 28th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Flight, 28th CES Fire Department a B-1B Lancer from the 34th Bomb Squadron.
"I think it's pretty cool to see the B-1," said George Hiss, son of Col. Steven Hiss, 28th Bomb Wing vice commander. "I can't wait to go inside [the bomber] and check it out."
Aside from seeing the inside of a B-1, the children, their parents and teachers were able to walk around the Pride Hangar and participate in hands-on presentations from the various participating squadrons.
"This is an incredible experience for the families here at Ellsworth," said Ellie Taliaferro, wife of 28th BW commander, Col. Jeffrey Taliafero. "It's like a hands-on museum for the kids. They can pick up the weapons, try on the suits and make the machines work."
Mrs. Taliaferro said the fun and exciting events featured during KUDOS, SUDOS and TUDOS allow the children to become more familiar with what their parents are doing during a deployment. She acknowledged the AFRC for the hard work they devoted to planning this event.
"So far, all the feedback we've gotten has been positive," Sergeant Mitchell said. "We really appreciate all the organizations that assisted with this event, especially Operation: Military Kids -- who came through for us with a backpack for every child."
USAF. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez)