Mock deployment helps families understand process Published May 3, 2007 By Staff Sgt. Olenda Peña-Perez 3rd Wing Public Affairs ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE -- More than 1,000 children and their parents from Elmendorf and Fort Richardson prepare for their deployment with Operation Family Topcover April 20 at Elmendorf's Joint Mobility Complex. Operation Family Topcover is a program designed to inform parents and children of the deployment process for military members. "In a very friendly manner it allows dependents the opportunity to see what mom or dad goes through during the deployment line, obtain support agency information and puts a friendly face on each one of the agency offices," said Tech. Sgt. Richard Collins, 3rd Mission Support Squadron and the head coordinator for Operation Family Topcover. After arriving at the JMC, the families were separated into different mock deployment groups and began the processing line by having their photos taken and receiving their dog tags. Then they gathered in a conference room to receive information about their deployment. "I was glad my son had the opportunity to see that I'm well prepared before I deploy," said 3rd Logistics Readiness Squadron Master Sgt. Michael Ritz, who is scheduled to deploy in May. "Hopefully, it's comforting for him to know all the services available not only to me, but to him and his mom as well." The briefing gave the families information about where they were going, how they would get there, when they would leave and arrive, country and medical concerns and mental and spiritual guidance. Before boarding the Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft, the families went through the mock deployment line to visit different base agencies including dental, legal, chaplains, Family Support Readiness Center, 3rd Services Squadron, Army Community Services, Immunizations, Public Health and other base organizations. These are the same services offered to the active duty members before they deploy. Members from the 3rd Security Forces Squadron were there to show what equipment they use and how they use it. Besides the military working dogs, there were also military vehicles and a variety of weapons presented, such as the Browning M2 .50 Caliber heavy machine gun, which was on top of a Humvee, an AT4 anti-tank rocket launcher, M9 9 mm Beretta pistol and and the M16 rifle. "The day was an absolute success," said Jena Bienia, 3rd MSS and the assistant head coordinator for Operation Family Topcover "From what we've heard, leadership was impressed, and I know for a fact, this was (to date), the most well attended Topcover in the Air Force."