Photo By Airman 1st Class Michelle Sies | U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Nichole Jimenez, MFRC readiness senior noncommissioned...... read more read more
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RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – Kaiserslautern Military Community children stepped into their parents’ boots with Operation H.E.R.O., an immersive mock deployment, specifically designed for youth to experience the deployment process in a hangar at Ramstein Air Base on Aug. 1. Operation H.E.R.O., which stands for Hands-on Expeditionary Readiness Orientation, was made possible through months of planning and support from volunteers and several organizations across the installation including the 86th Medical Group, Ramstein Law Office, 86th Comptroller Squadron, 86th Security Forces Squadron, the American Red Cross and other community partners. Hosted by the Military and Family Readiness Center, the event guided children through many interactive activities, displays, and stations similar to stops necessary prior to deploying. The participants received mission passports upon checking in, learned about deployment processing, toured a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft and finished off with a tour of a security forces vehicle and a balloon arch welcoming them home from their mock deployment experience. “The kids learn what their parents go through,” said Master Sgt. Nichole Jimenez, MFRC readiness senior noncommissioned officer. “Sometimes when you tell your kid that you’re getting deployed there’s a lot of preparation that goes into that and it helps them be more at peace to know.” Jimenez highlighted the importance of helping children better understand the deployment process as it can ease uncertainty and allow families to better navigate the process together. She added that as military members, readiness extends beyond just them and it includes adequately preparing spouses and families as well. “This was our very first event here at Ramstein but other bases have something similar, like Operation K.U.D.O.S.,” Jimenez said. “I would like for this to continue and be an annual event for sure.” Operation K.U.D.O.S., which stands for Kids Understanding Deployment Operations, is held at U.S. military bases across the world. Master Sgt. Casey Diggins, 86th Airlift Wing interim director of the equal opportunity office, said that the event gives military families a unique experience. “It gives them a birds-eye view of that process,” Diggins said. “Sometimes dependents don’t get the opportunity to see the various things their parents do on a day-to-day basis or what they do to prepare to go to a foreign land and do their job.” He added that events like this one bring military and civilian organizations together, further strengthening the KMC. “This event is for all military members, not just Air Force families,” Jimenez said. “Army, Navy, whoever is stationed in the KMC is welcome.” For more information about events, visit the https://www.86fss.com/mfrc/ or contact them at 06371-47-5100
| Date Taken: | 08.01.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.05.2026 03:57 |
| Story ID: | 571492 |
| Location: | RAMSTEIN-MIESENBACH, DE |
| Web Views: | 12 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Operation HERO brings deployment readiness to heroes of the future, by A1C Michelle Sies, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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