Warren's Junior Deployment: A day in their parent’s shoes Published July 2, 2007 By Airman 1st Class Daryl Knee 90th Space Wing Public Affairs F. E. Warren AFB, Wyo. -- Teenagers and youth from Warren and the surrounding area participated in a mock deployment Saturday. Operation Special Processing, Authorization and Combat Effectiveness Junior Deployer took place at a variety of places, on and off base, and showed the youth what military members go through when they deploy. About 52 youth and 50-60 parents attended, said Robin Lauser, programs director for the community center. "We were hoping for 25 kids," said Mrs. Lauser. "We thought 25 kids would be a good showing. But when we got 52, we thought it was very successful." The children started the day off in the Fall Hall Community Center with a check-in station and the deployment line and chalk assignments. "A chalk is similar to a platoon," said Mrs. Lauser. "They were grouped according to common age. Teamwork is essential." After the farewell speech by Col. Ron Jenkins, 90th Mission Support Group commander, the chalks boarded the buses headed to the Wyoming Air National Guard base at the Cheyenne Regional Airport where the children were able to tour the C-130 Hercules and the UH-60 Blackhawk. "We couldn't have done this portion of the event," said Mrs. Lauser, "without the support of the 90th Logistics Readiness Squadron and the Air Guard." "We don't mind doing this at all," said 1st Lt. Marci Hoffman, 30th Airlift Squadron. "I mean, how often do [the kids] get to come out here and see an aircraft?" When the children were done with investigating the static displays at the airport, they boarded the buses and arrived in country at the Warren deployment field training area. This field acted as 'Fewastan,' the fake deployment area. Here, the youth enjoyed an MRE lunch and were able to tour many exhibits. "We wanted [the kids] to have a sense of the roles our military play in day to day events," said Mrs. Lauser. This exercise gave the 90th Force Support Squadron a chance to do a home station exercise, said Tech. Sgt. Barbara Herzer, 90th FSS. It allowed the 90th FSS to serve food and drinks to real people in a deployed environment setting. "But the most important thing is the children," said Staff Sgt. Anita Bostic, 90th FSS. "It's all for the children." The long day ended when the children received a welcome-home celebration at the community center. The deployers were welcomed back with flags and banners and then received certificates of participation. "I feel that most of the kids took a real interest in the program," said Mrs. Lauser. "Some of them even knew each other by their first names by the end of the day." Any feedback from the event or any ideas about future events can be submitted to the Fall Hall Community Center or contact either Robin Lauser, programs director, or Tara Morton, facility director, at 773-3511.