Kids Step into Their Parents' Boots at Annual Operation KUDOS Event Published Aug. 13, 2026 By Alyssa Janeway 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- 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. 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. Operation Kids Understanding Deployments Operations is a fun educational event designed to help children understand what their service member parents might experience with simulated deployment activities and information booths. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Col. Donna 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. 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. By experiencing a simulated version of their parents’ daily duties and deployment preparations, the children gained a sense of connection and pride in their families' service. “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.” 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. Operation Kids Understanding Deployments Operations is a fun educational event designed to help children understand what their service member parents might experience with simulated deployment activities and information booths. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res An event of this scale relies heavily on the collaboration of key support networks and helping organizations across the installation. 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. As the deployment training concluded, the participants walked away with certificates presented by 88th Mission Support Group command team, Col. Dorinda Sanders and Chief Master Sgt. Michael Sierra. By bringing families and base units together, Operation KUDOS hopes to continue to foster resilience, understanding, and community spirit for the installation's youngest heroes. View more photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD2gtn