WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio — Hundreds of military children got a hands-on look at what it takes to serve their country during Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s annual Operation KUDOS event on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026.
Hosted by the Military and Family Readiness Center, the initiative—short for “Kids Understanding Deployment Operations”—is designed to demystify military deployments for children aged 4 to 12 through age-appropriate, simulated training activities [cite: The Military and Family Readiness Center hosted its annual Operation KUDOS event on August 7, 2026, offering military children a unique, hands-on look into the lives and missions of their parents., Operation KUDOS, which stands for “Kids Understanding Deployment Operations,” brought together children aged 4 to 12 to interact with various units on base., The event is designed to demystify the deployment process through interactive, age-appropriate experiences that mirror the preparation and training their parents undergo.].
Throughout the day, participants toured specialized stations hosted by units across the base [cite: Throughout the day, the young “recruits” visited interactive displays set up by local units like the 88th Security Forces Squadron, fire department, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Wright-Patt Fitness Center, and got to board a 445th Airlift Wing C-17.]:
Explosive Ordnance Disposal: Children received step-by-step instructions from EOD technicians on how to operate remote bomb-disposal robots [cite: Throughout the day, the young “recruits” visited interactive displays set up by local units like the 88th Security Forces Squadron, fire department, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Wright-Patt Fitness Center, and got to board a 445th Airlift Wing C-17., U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Matt Soliva, 788th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordinance disposal technician, instructs Weston Dill on using a bomb disposal robot during the annual Operation KUDOS event at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Aug. 7, 2026.].
Aircraft Exploration: Attendees boarded a massive C-17 aircraft operated by the 445th Airlift Wing [cite: Throughout the day, the young “recruits” visited interactive displays set up by local units like the 88th Security Forces Squadron, fire department, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Wright-Patt Fitness Center, and got to board a 445th Airlift Wing C-17.].
Emergency & Base Support: Interactive displays were provided by the 88th Security Forces Squadron, base fire department, and Wright-Patt Fitness Center [cite: Throughout the day, the young “recruits” visited interactive displays set up by local units like the 88th Security Forces Squadron, fire department, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Wright-Patt Fitness Center, and got to board a 445th Airlift Wing C-17.].
“Today, it’s our turn to say thank you for your dedication to the Air Force, for being a military kid and for serving just like your parents are,” said Col. Deana Dominguez, 88th Medical Group commander, during opening remarks [cite: U.S. Air Force Col. Deana Dominguez, 88th Medical Group commander, welcomes families attending the annual Operation KUDOS event at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Aug. 7, 2026., Col. Deana Dominguez, 88th Medical group commander, provided opening remarks and expressed her gratitude to the participants., “Today, it’s our turn to say thank you for your dedication to the Air Force, for being a military kid and for serving just like your parents are,” Dominguez said.].
Community Support Network
The mock deployment relies heavily on installation-wide collaboration. Support organizations—including Blue Star Families, the WPAFB Chaplain Corps, family childcare, school programs, and the Integrated Primary Prevention Workforce—were on site to offer resources and activities designed to support military families during deployment cycles [cite: These agencies were on hand to provide resources, guidance, and fun activities to assist families during the mock deployment, ensuring both parents and children felt supported., These resources included Blue Star Families, the WPAFB Chaplain Corps, Integrated Primary Prevention Workforce, family childcare and school programs.].
Event coordinator Tech Sgt. Benjamin Duck called the assignment “one of the best jobs in the Air Force,” adding that he enjoys watching his own children participate while helping others learn [cite: “This is probably one of the best jobs in the Air Force,” said Tech Sgt. Benjamin Duck, Military and Family Readiness Center Readiness NCOIC and event coordinator., “I get to help kids have fun and I get to watch my kids have fun at the same time.”].
At the conclusion of the event, 88th Mission Support Group Command Team members Col. Dorinda Sanders and Chief Master Sgt. Michael Sierra presented participants with official graduation certificates.
