Max Gebhart, 6, son of Senior Airman Randy Gebhart, 2nd Maintenance Squadron, aims an M240 Bravo machine gun during Operation Hero on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Sept. 22. The annual event is a child-friendly personnel deployment line and features a number of activities for kids throughout the day, including a weapons qualification course with paintball guns, face-painting and a physical fitness assessment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kristin High)(RELEASED)

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Operation Hero 2012

Colin Purtell, 10, son of Maj. Bryan Purtell, 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs Officer, aims a paintball gun at volunteers from Airman Leadership School class 12-6 during Operation Hero on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Sept. 22. The annual event is a child-friendly personnel deployment line and features a number of activities for kids throughout the day, including a weapons qualification course with paintball guns, face-painting and a physical fitness assessment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kristin High)(RELEASED)

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Operation Hero 2012

Senior Airman Kasey Hair, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron, shows children how to operate a deck gun on a fire truck during Operation Hero on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Sept 22. Children were also briefed on fire safety and were given the opportunity to use a real fire hose. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kristin High)(RELEASED)

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Operation Hero 2012

Staff Sgt. Jordan Lorenzen, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron crew chief, assists Tyler Snyder, 11, son of Master Sgt. Michael Snyder, 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron, to spray a fire hose during Operation Hero on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Sept. 22. The annual event is a child-friendly personnel deployment line and features a number of activities for kids throughout the day, including a weapons qualification course with paintball guns, face-painting and a physical fitness assessment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kristin High)(RELEASED)

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Operation Hero 2012

Military working dog, Myla, chases her simulated assailant, Senior Airman Alexander Costanzo, 2nd Security Forces Squadron, during a demonstration at Operation Hero on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Sept. 22. Myla is a 4 year-old Belgian Malinois trained in explosives detection and attack procedures. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kristin High)(RELEASED)

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Operation Hero 2012

Staff Sgt. Cornelia Justice, 2nd Bomb Wing Protocol, paints a butterfly on Zoe Kudlas, 5, daughter of Maj. Devin Kudlas, Air Force Global Strike Command, during Operation Hero on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Sept. 22. The annual event is a child-friendly personnel deployment line and features a number of activities for kids throughout the day. Children who registered for the event received a set of dog tags, a picture identification card and t-shirt. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kristin High)(RELEASED)

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Operation Hero 2012

Children receive boxed lunches from members of the 2nd Force Support Squadron during Operation Hero on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Sept. 22. The event, serving as a child-friendly personnel deployment line hosted 111 children. It featured a number of activities throughout the day, including a weapons qualification course with paintball guns, face-painting and a physical fitness assessment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kristin High)(RELEASED)

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Operation Hero 2012

Published Sept. 25, 2012