Multi-National Division-Central

Story by Spc. Debralee Crankshaw

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – As the U.S. continues to assist Iraqis in becoming a self-sustaining force, the U.S. is providing them with valuable training, including the use of working dogs.

The 212th Military Police Detachment demonstrated to the Iraqi police K-9 unit commander from Hillah just how essential military working dogs can be in accomplishing the mission during a training excercise, March 15.

The 212th provided a demonstration in basic obedience and aggression. Soldiers gave commands to their dogs, led them through an obstacle course and performed biting and explosives detection exercises.

"The purpose of the training is to show the capabilities of the dogs and get the Iraqis used to training the dogs," said Staff Sgt. Christopher Rodgers, Forward Operating Base Kalsu kennel master from Bradford, Pa. "It gives them a goal to accomplish. They have seen the capabilities of the dogs so now they have something to work toward."

Capt. Anis Fadhil, the IP K-9 commander, took the training to heart.

"When we get the dogs, we will try to duplicate the training as closely as possible," he said.

The training not only showed the commander what to work for, it also information on how to run his own kennel.

"Seeing our kennels helped give him a good idea of how it's supposed to happen, so they can go back and start their kennels up," said Rodgers.

This visit was the first of many, according to Rodgers. U.S. handlers will work closely with Iraqi handlers to teach them how to manage working dogs on their next visit.

"This will help Iraq because of the situation everyday with [improvised explosive devices] and suicide bombers," he said. "This will help decrease that kind of activity."

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