Photo By Master Sgt. Jeff Walston | Staff Sgt. Robert Starkweather makes some playtime for his partner Diego, Nov. 1, at...... read more read more
By Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston
506th Air Expeditionary Group
KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, Iraq - There are military working dog teams operating around the clock with the 506th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadrons; their number one mission is conducting explosive detection searches and providing alarmed responses to any situation anywhere on the base.
"There is no greater piece of equipment to find explosive material than that of a dog's nose," said Staff Sgt. Brian Pope, 506th ESFS, military working dog handler, who is deployed from McChord Air Force Base, Wash. "Our MWD's provide a huge psychological deterrence for people who may break the law."
With a flawless sense of smell and extraordinary hearing, a MWD is an excellent weapon in the fight to keep KRAB safe.
"MWD not only detect dangerous explosive and narcotic odors, but also can detect human scent," said Staff Sgt. Rufus Watson, 506th ESFS, military working dog trainer, who is deployed from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. "This capability is highly effective in rooting out bad guys who threaten to penetrate the installation and cause damage to KRAB personnel and infrastructure."
For the handler, a MWD is partner who can always be depended on to do his job.
"These dogs are as discipline and loyal as any Airman, Soldier, Sailor or Marine," said Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Jones, 506th ESFS, NCOIC, K-9 Section, who is deployed from Holloman AFB, N.M. "For the squadron, the K-9 plays a significant role in the commander's base defense plan; he counts on us to assist in eliminating any and every explosive threat on the base."
Handlers work 13-to 14-hour days with their MWD as well as the duties of maintaining their dogs, the dogs living area, and records before and after each shift.
The teams work in various locations throughout the installation, including public infrastructures and key areas of operation, said Sgt. Jones.
Although the security of gates is the MWD teams' primary mission, they also conduct inbound and outbound baggage checks along with sweeps for any distinguished visitor visits to Kirkuk RAB.
U.S. military working dogs here, come from two breeds; German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois. The handlers teamed up with these MWD are deployed from various bases and MAJCOMS from all over the Air Force.
The MWD teams conduct DV rout sweeps, customs sweeps, and have searched more than 5,000 pieces of luggage for departing Army personnel exiting KRAB. They recently swept every checkpoint at Kirkuk RAB, when Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley visited.
One important message most dog handlers would like the average person to get is - "don't pet my dog."
Although MWD are dogs at the end of the day they shouldn't be petted by anyone other than their handlers, trainers and Kennel Master, Sgt. Watson said.
"They are trained to attack to protect themselves and their handlers," he said. "We need them to be tolerant of people but at the same time on guard and suspicious of their surroundings at all times. This is one the edge that makes MWD so vital to the Air Force Mission."
A handler's life is dependant of the rapport he and the dog share.
"Though not considered deadly force, MWD are trained to attack with or without command. If they view you as a threat, they will attack," Sgt. Jones said.
"We need [our dogs] to be tolerant of people, but at the all times on guard and suspicious of their surroundings," Sgt. Watson said. "This is the edge that makes Military Working Dogs so vital to the Air Force Mission."
| Date Taken: | 11.12.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 11.14.2008 06:39 |
| Story ID: | 26335 |
| Location: | KIRKUK, IQ |
| Web Views: | 409 |
| Downloads: | 319 |
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