Dover AFB Youth Mobilize

The Dover AFB Family Advocacy Program provided "Be a HERO" dog tags for children processing through the mobility line August 22, 2013, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The children's mobility line was supported by base agencies such as the Airman and Family Readiness Center, finance, legal, and safety; as well as off-base agencies such as 4-H and Operation Military Kid. (U.S. Air Force photo/Roland Balik)

Dover AFB Youth Mobilize

John Walters, physiologist with the Health and Wellness Center, leads children in jumping jacks prior to participating in the children's mobility line August 22, 2013, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. Walters emphasized the importance of physical fitness to mobility line participants. (U.S. Air Force photo/Roland Balik)

Dover AFB Youth Mobilize

Cuervo, a military working dog, attacks Staff Sgt. Christine Campos, a military working dog trainer with the 436th Security Forces Squadron July 30, 2013, as part of a demonstration during the children's mobility line at Dover Air Force Base, Del. Staff Sgt. John Sutherland, a MWD handler, observes Cuervo to validate his response actions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Roland Balik)

Children gear up for mock deployments

Published Aug. 27, 2013
By Senior Airman Jared Duhon
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- The Airman & Family Readiness Center hosted the 2013 Dover Air Force Base Children's Mobility Line at the Youth Center Aug. 22, 2013, here.

The annual event allows children to take part in a mock mobility line and visit some of the same agencies their parents visit during a real-world deployment. More than 350 children participated in this event.

"This program is in its 11th year," said Senior Master Sgt. Verna Ford, 436th Mission Support Group readiness NCO in charge. "The purpose is to educate the military youth on what their mom and dad goes through when they prepare for a deployment. We had the support of more than 20 agencies from on and off base helping put this event together."

The mobility line included base agencies such as the Airman and Family Readiness Center, finance, legal, and safety; as well as off-base agencies such as 4-H and Operation Military Kid whom provided kid-friendly deployment information as well as gifts.

"All the agencies an Airman might go through before deploying are here," said McGill, "The mobility line not only helped kids, but also informed their parents of agencies and information they might have not known were out there until today."

Ford said the mobility line was educational, and had a fun twist, to help keep the kids interested by featuring demonstrations from the fire department and the security forces' military working dog section.

Airman & Family Readiness also handed out school supplies to participants, Ford said. The supplies were donated by Operation Homefront, an off-base agency that provides emergency financial aid and other assistance to military families and wounded warriors.

"For this event, we supplied children with backpacks and school supplies," said Peter Stinson, Operation Homefront director. "During the summer months, we provide school supplies and in the winter months, we provide toys."

Lt. Col. William "Halsey" Burks, 3rd Airlift Squadron C-17 Globemaster III pilot who was deployed in the late part of 2012, said the mobility line helped his wife Susan and his son understand the deployment process.

"This line is a great idea," said Susan Burks, Ethan's mother. "It helps children get the gist of what happens on the line, and what their parents' experience."

Staff Sgt. Ashley Smith, 436th Airlift Wing safety office ground safety craftsman and mother of two, handed out coloring books to help children understand what they can do to stay safe.

"I think the children's mobility line is a great opportunity to reach children," she said. "It is never too early to reach children with the message of safety. The school supplies were a great idea and can help a lot of people in need of them."