Malmstrom youth experience steps before deployment

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jaeda Tookes
  • 341 Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The 341st Force Support Squadron hosted a junior deployment line for children of deployed family members March 23 at the Youth Center.

The event was a way for the children to see what their parents go through before and during a deployment.

"With the amount of stress the families typically go through, this helps the kids acquaint with the process of deploying," said Master Sgt. Micheal Filipovich, 341st Logistics Readiness Squadron first sergeant. "It helps the kids feel a little more connected to their parents who have deployed or will deploy in the future." 

The wing recently had its largest deployment in years, affecting many families across the base.

"We were asked to put on something for the kids to cope with the stressors of a deployment," said Kathy Desy, 341st Force Support Squadron flight chief of Airman and Family Services. 

The children participated in different events such as getting camouflage print painted on their faces, taking pictures, decorating a frame, sending a photo to their deployed parent and simulating receiving passports.

"It's that extra personal touch to bring it all together," said Filipovich.

The children were also given the opportunity to try on mission oriented protective posture gear to include gas masks and flak vests, watch the base honor guard fold and present a flag, and play with the robots used by explosive ordnance disposal bomb technicians for defusing bombs.

"I really hope a lot of families came out, and there was a better understanding for the kids," said Filipovich.

Future events will be scheduled based on the deployment rate of the wing.