Family Mock Deployment 'processes' more than 90 Published Oct. 4, 2010 By Tech. Sgt. Scott McNabb 460th Public Affairs office BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- More than 90 family members got a taste of what it means to deploy Oct. 2 at Camp Rattlesnake and a few other spots around the base. Fifty-one children and 40 adults took part in the Family Mock Deployment where they experienced everything from briefings and being assigned to chalks to self-aid buddy care and what the Explosives Ordnance Disposal teams do to keep people safe when they deploy. "They don't have anything like this at Army bases I've been to," said Maj. Cliff Clausen, 743rd Military Intelligence Battalion. "It's neat for them to see what we go through." Sarah Clausen, who also served in the military, said the mock deployment has practical applications as well. "Even if they don't deploy, they got to learn about first aid and how to stop bleeding," she said. Airman 1st Class Cheryl Montgomery, 120th Fighter Squadron, said the mock deployment was also a good way for children of the Guard and Reserve to feel connected to the military family. "I support it 100 percent," she said. "Their Dad is deployed, so it's awesome for them. [Children of Reserve and Guardsmen] don't live on base. They may be the only military kids in their school, so this is big for them. Eleven-year-old Lorin Ringler, a deployer, enjoyed learning about first aid. "It shows me different ways to help myself if I get hurt," she said. Tom Cox, 460th Force Support Squadron Youth Programs director, coordinated the event and said he was happy with the participation both on the side of the deployers and the helping agencies. "For the second straight year I couldn't be happier to be a part of this program and getting to watch the kids have a great time only makes me count down the days until the next one," he said. "Of course, there are many hands involved that make this go. Without the full support of both the 460th Space Wing and the 140th Wing as well as Colorado Operation Military Kids and the National Guard State Family Program office this program would never be what it has become in two short years. Mr. Cox said the Army Guard Blackhawk and the tour of Hangar 801 were particularly exciting pieces for the deployers. "Their live take off and fly-by towards the end of the day energized the kids," he said of the UH60 helicopters. "Secondly, touring hanger 801 and getting a hands on with one of the 140th's F-16s had both the kids and adults excited about the day." The Blackhawk wasn't the only aircraft in the air as 140th Wing launched a series of F-16s over Camp Rattlesnake. Each sortie stole the show as it took off and disappeared into the sky on a training mission.