SIMIN HAN, Bosnia and Herzegovina — Kicking up a trail of dust in its path, the convoy that left Tuzla Air Base on Thursday morning looked like so many that left the base before it.

But this was no ordinary peacekeeping patrol. .

With 23 airmen squeezed around boxes of supplies in five Humvces, this was more of a goodwill turn.

Keeping a tradition started a year ago, members of the 401st Expeditionary Air Base Group made the 25-minute drive to the Simin Han Center for Mothers and Children to visit the residents and drop off box upon box of clothes and toys donated by the Top Three organization at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

With their fathers and husbands killed or still missing from Bosnia's 3½-year civil war that ended in 1995, and no house to call their own, the 80 residents of this center — 22 women and 58 children — call it home:

They were moved into this old schoolhouse in May 1996 by the Bosnian government.

And this is where they remain, where they go to school, have been taught computer skills and have become surrogate family to one another, still clinging to the hope that some day they will return to the homes they fled during the war.

Hanumica Alibegovic, who runs the center, said the Air Force started visiting by happenstance a little more than a year ago, after an interpreter on the base told airmen about the place. Since then, airmen have tried to make monthly visits to donate supplies, play with the children, and experience a bit of this country they've been sent over to protect but don't usually get to see.

"This gives us a chance to help put the refugees and get to experience their culture," said Senior Airman Jennifer Spray, a security forces troop from Tu/la Air Base. "This was my first time getting off the base, and it's a good experience. It's different from what I expected, but I'm glad I got to see it."

The children at the center, who vary in age from 3 to 18, gathered in clusters near the entrance. They excitedly peered out windows as the convoy finally pulled into the parking area, delayed by the foggy, cold weather.

While airmen protectively watched over the military vehicles and children excitedly gathered around, another convoy of sorts was set up — this one an assembly line so troops could hand in 28 boxes of supplies though one of the center's back windows.

Another pallet of donated goods would be brought back sometime next month, officials said.

Most likely, a new group of airmen will bring them.

"We have about 250 people (in our unit) and probably 250 people who would like to come down each time. Unfortunately we don't have that much room. So we try to rotate it so everybody .gels a chance," said Master Sgt. Doug Fratoni, who helped organize this visit.

Once the boxes were delivered, many of the center's younger children piled into a colorful recreation room — its walls plastered with drawings of Snow White and magazine .posters of music groups such as the Backstreet Boys and the Spice Girls.

Then the youngsters ushered in their visitors and showed their appreciation by entertaining them, Bosnia-style.

It took only seconds for the audience to break into giggles as the children performed their rendition of Little Red Riding Hood. They didn't speak English, but the meaning wasn't lost on the airmen, who were quick to capture the event on film and videotape.

After another child actor mowed down the wolf with a semiautomatic play rifle, and grandma was rescued, more performers lined up to sing the Bosnian version of If You're Happy and You Know It, followed by others who showed off traditional dances and songs from the region.

Despite the language barrier, there is one constant among children of all nations. They love candy.

As the show ended, the children mobbed the visitors to get a handful of chocolate treats, lollipops and licorice brought for the occasion.

With a Charms Blow Pop in his mouth and a handful of candy in his grasp, 11-year-old Mirel Omerovic was all smiles. But he grew serious when asked how he felt about the visit.

"I'm glad they came because we lost our fathers," he said. "We don't have much. It means a lot."

That wasn't lost on the visitors.

"It's nice to see these kids smile," said Airman 1st Class Scott Woods, who couldn't help but grin himself, "This is the end product of the peacekeeping mission. It really reinforces why we're here. We have made a difference."

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