Hurlburt deploys Lil’ Commandos during Operation KUDOS

Col. Tom Palenske, the commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing, helps military children find their dog tags during Operation Kids Understanding Deployment Operations at Hurlburt Field, Fla., April 22, 2017. Children processed through a deployment line where they received dog tags, shirts and deployment bags. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Pick)

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Hurlburt deploys Lil’ Commandos during Operation KUDOS

1st Lt. Eric Dixon, a chaplain with the 1st Special Operations Wing, briefs children on chapel services available to deployed service members during Operation Kids Understanding Deployment Operations at Hurlburt Field, Fla., April 22, 2017. Children processed through a deployment line where they received dog tags, shirts and deployment bags. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Pick)

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Hurlburt deploys Lil’ Commandos during Operation KUDOS

A military child puts on a vest before deploying during Operation Kids Understanding Deployment Operations at Hurlburt Field, Fla., April 22, 2017. Operation KUDOS is an educational event aimed to help build resilience in military youth by engaging them in activities that simulate the pre-deployment experience, such as pre-deployment lines and demonstrations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Pick)

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Hurlburt deploys Lil’ Commandos during Operation KUDOS

A military child gets his face painted prior to deploying during Operation Kids Understanding Deployment Operations at Hurlburt Field, Fla., April 22, 2017. Operation KUDOS is an educational event aimed to help build resilience in military youth by engaging them in activities that simulate the pre-deployment experience, such as pre-deployment lines and demonstrations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Pick)

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Hurlburt deploys Lil’ Commandos during Operation KUDOS

A military child poses for a photo during Operation Kids Understanding Deployment Operations at Hurlburt Field, Fla., April 22, 2017. Operation KUDOS is an educational event aimed to help build resilience in military youth by engaging them in activities that simulate the pre-deployment experience, such as pre-deployment lines and demonstrations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Pick)

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Hurlburt deploys Lil’ Commandos during Operation KUDOS

Lt. Col. Jeffrey Lin, the deputy commander of the 823rd RED HORSE Squadron, briefs military children upon arrival to their deployed location during Operation Kids Understanding Deployment Operations at Hurlburt Field, Fla., April 22, 2017. At the deployed location, children visited a medical tent, shopped a field postal exchange and viewed a military working dog demonstration. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Pick)

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Hurlburt deploys Lil’ Commandos during Operation KUDOS

A military child throws a simulated grenade during Operation Kids Understanding Deployment Operations at Hurlburt Field, Fla., April 22, 2017. Operation KUDOS is an educational event aimed to help build resilience in military youth by engaging them in activities that simulate the pre-deployment experience, such as pre-deployment lines and demonstrations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Pick)

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Hurlburt deploys Lil’ Commandos during Operation KUDOS

Military children participate in physical training at a deployed location during Operation Kids Understanding Deployment Operations at Hurlburt Field, Fla., April 22, 2017. At the deployed location, children visited a medical tent, shopped a field postal exchange and viewed a military working dog demonstration. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Pick)

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Hurlburt deploys Lil’ Commandos during Operation KUDOS

A military child shops at the field postal exchange during Operation Kids Understanding Deployment Operations at Hurlburt Field, Fla., April 22, 2017. Operation KUDOS is an educational event aimed to help build resilience in military youth by engaging them in activities that simulate the pre-deployment experience, such as pre-deployment lines and demonstrations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Pick)

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Hurlburt deploys Lil’ Commandos during Operation KUDOS

Military children render salutes through the playing of retreat during Operation Kids Understanding Deployment Operations at Hurlburt Field, Fla., April 22, 2017. Operation KUDOS concluded with a homecoming where parents welcomed back their children. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Pick)

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Hurlburt deploys Lil’ Commandos during Operation KUDOS

Parents await the arrival of their children at a homecoming event during Operation Kids Understanding Deployment Operations at Hurlburt Field, Fla., April 22, 2017. The homecoming event helped showed children what it feels like to return to family members after a deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Pick)

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Hurlburt deploys Lil’ Commandos during Operation KUDOS

Published May 1, 2017
By Airman 1st Class Joseph Pick
1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Military children participated in Operation Kids Understanding Deployment Operations here, April 22. Operation KUDOS is an educational event aimed to help build resilience in military youth by engaging them in activities that simulate the pre-deployment experience, such as pre-deployment lines and demonstrations. Operation KUDOS concluded with a homecoming where parents welcomed back their children.