Registration open for Operation Bug Out Published April 16, 2010 By Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Children have wonderful imaginations which can sometimes go into overdrive when they are do not understand the things happening around them. To help prevent a child's imagination from running away when they learn a parent is deploying, the Airman & Family Readiness Center is hosting Operation Bug Out, a free event taking place from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 30 beginning at the youth center. With the deployment tempo changing the A&FRC staff felt the need to do something to help children understand what their parents go through when deploying, said Marilyn McCallum Roseborough, A&FRC chief. During Operation Bug Out children will experience several of the things their parents do as they prepare to deploy. After taking the oath of enlistment participants will receive their uniform of the day, an Operation Bug Out t-shirt, and dog tags before leaving to process through the personnel deployment function line. On the PDF line children will spend time with medical personnel, fire fighters, explosive ordinance technicians and other professionals before receiving an aircraft tour. The event is open to all military children ages 5-15; however, a parent must accompany their child. "It is a hands on experience," said Tech. Sgt. Andrea Schaub, A&FRC readiness NCO. "The children will be playing the role of a true warrior, from taking the oath of enlistment, being briefed by the wing commander, processing, getting on a plane and arriving at the Discovery Air Base, to the flags and welcoming party when they arrive home. This allows them to experience what it is like verse being told." For more information or to register a child for the event, call 722-1123. Registration will end at close of business April 23.