3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

Story by Pfc. Sharla Perrin

FORWARD OPERATING BASE MAREZ, MOSUL, Iraq — The 351st Military Police Company, deployed under Task Force Greywolf, 25th Infantry Division, coordinated for 2nd Bn., 6th Bde., 2nd Iraqi Army Div. to participate in a military working dog demonstration, April 6, at Combat Outpost Spear Base in Mosul, Iraq.

The demonstration was to prepare the Iraqi troops to potentially handle military working dogs in the future.

"Today at COP Spear we're teaching these Iraqi soldiers the importance of having a military working dog," said Spc. Aaron Moseley, with the 351st MP Co., a native of Cordova, Ala. "Sometimes the military working dog can find things the human cannot, so we're trying to convey the importance of having the K9 working with them."

Staff Sgt. Michael Hile, a military working dog handler with 527th Military Police Company, 709th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade who hails from Prineville, Ore. demonstrated several search and attack tactics with his canine partner, Sgt. 1st Class Rronnie.

Rronnie successfully discovered a hidden baggie of C4 explosives in a staged vehicle, chased and attacked an escaped detainee and escorted the detainee to a secure location.

Moseley agreed to play the part of detainee by putting on a two-piece cushioned body suit and harassing and running away from Hile in the "attack" portion of the demonstration. Moseley prompted five attacks from Rronnie and both were panting for air by the end of the exercise.

"It was good, I really enjoyed it," Moseley said. "It got a little nerve racking right before he let the dog loose. Once he actually latched on, I felt a lot of pressure on my hand. I didn't feel the teeth, but it still hurt a little."

Moseley wasn't the only one that let himself be used as a chew toy. One IA Soldier also took the challenge and donned the bear-like suit.

Hile said that trying to get someone to get bit by the dogs is hard, and locals typically Iraqis are afraid of dogs.

"An Iraqi doing it is great," he said. "It showed them to be less scared of the dogs and what it feels like to actually get bit."

Moseley said that the training was a hit among his IA counterparts.

"I believe they enjoyed it very much," he said. "They were attentive and wanted to join in on the class. I think that anything with hands-on activity is received pretty well."

Being prepared to utilize military working dogs is another step towards the Iraqi security forces' mission to permanently secure Iraq.

Moseley said that he likes teaching the IA soldiers what it takes to complete their mission.

"I enjoy helping others. For us to be able to come and help the Iraqi forces gain some knowledge to help their country be a safer country," he said, "you know, that's something I take pride in.

Associated Images

Control Panel