LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
For the third straight year, Lackland's Operation JET, or Junior Expeditionary Team, gave children the opportunity to experience the deployment process first hand. For 152 children on Aug. 14, their mission was to have fun and look out for their wingman.
The children low-crawled their way through Texas terrain, navigated the tactical course alongside their wingman and finally had a welcome home party to celebrate the success of their deployment.
One of the children participating was 13-year-old Elijah Recoder. When asked about Operation JET he simply said, "It's fun and exciting."
Teachers were included in the activities this year through TUDOS, or Teachers Understanding Deployment Operations.
TUDOS was added to help teachers and administrators understand the effects deployments have on the children and parents they serve.
The teachers and administrators got to do everything the children did. Dr. David Spitek, the Superintendent of Lackland Schools, hopes they can do this program again.
The superintendent was not only impressed by the program, but by the quality of instructors that gave them the full deployment experience.
"I thought [TUDOS] was a great program, a great opportunity for new teachers who have no military experience. We're glad the base took the time to offer the program and we look forward to next year."