The Life of a 116 BCT Working Dog

Courtesy Photo | Staff Sgt. Danny Spaide's dog Britt, has his suspect (Sgt. Randall Pyell), under control. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Jack White, 116 BCT Public Affairs)  

KIRKUK, IRAQ

09.05.2005

Courtesy Story

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FOB Warrior, Iraq -- A demonstration of the HHC, 116 Bde. S-3's Working dogs, was given here at Forward Operating Base Warrior, before a group of 17 Soldiers on August 27.

Most days, the life of a Military Working Dog is a routine of watching their trainer shaking hands with people and standing watch over an area, but occasionally, these highly trained K-9s are called upon to do much more.

With the help of a volunteer, Sgt. Randall Pyell of HHC's S-3 section, the dog's handlers Sr. Airman Scott Zorn and Staff Sgt. Danny Spaide, were able to give a lively demonstration of their dog's two basic capabilities, to detect explosives, and to attack and subdue a suspect.

First up was Zorn's partner Aldo, who showed how a working dog can become an attack dog, chasing down the fleeing man and locking on to Sgt. Pyell's padded left arm. While being searched, the 'suspect" shoved Zorn away, and again, Aldo had Pyell by the arm. Then the suspect ran away, but thought better of it, stopping and surrendering before Aldo could reach him. Right on cue, Aldo blew by him, then returned to sit and watch him until his trainer could catch up to search the individual. Lastly, Aldo escorted Sgt. Pyell back to a certain spot. Every time the volunteer moved in a direction other than where he was supposed to go, the dog began barking and leaping toward the individual, forcing him to correct his course.

Next, Spaide's partner, Britt, demonstrated his chase-down technique, latching onto the suspect's arm, though Zorn assured the onlookers that the dogs would grab on to anything they had to. The next anonymous volunteer suspect found out what it was like, as Britt caught him by the arm and detained him.

Then came a demonstration where Zorn padded up, then tried escaping to a waiting vehicle, jumped in, and suddenly found Britt through the window and sitting in his lap, arm in a jaw-lock. Lastly, Zorn ran to a Humvee, attempting to climb too high for Britt to follow. Fearlessly, the animal threw himself onto the vehicle, catching Zorn in a vise-like grip, stubbornly refusing to let go.

"The S-3 is very proud to have all of them as members of our team," said Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Ahlm, of HHC, 116 BCT's S-3.

"The dogs are highly trained professionals," explained Spaide. "They've gone through difficult obstacle courses, to learn to overcome all fear of chasing down a suspect."

Britt then demonstrated his keen sense of smell at locating explosives, by finding the small concealed jar of composition B, a favorite type of explosive used by insurgents, then alerting his trainer to the location in the wheel well of the vehicle.

So if you happen to pass these four-footed Soldiers and their trainers on the street, be sure to stop and say hello to them. Just don't try to run away.

The 116th Brigade Combat Team supports the efforts of the government of Kirkuk Province in the areas of communication, infrastructure, economics, health and security.

The 116th Brigade Combat Team is composed of units from Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Utah, North Dakota, Maryland and New Jersey. The unit is comprised of headquarters and staff sections, the 2nd and 3rd Armor Battalions, the 1-148th Field Artillery Battalion, the 1-163rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion, the 145th Support Battalion, the 116th Engineer Battalion, and various intelligence, signal, and specialized units. The 116th BCT is one of several Army National Guard units deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III.

• Date Taken: 09.05.2005
• Date Posted: 09.05.2005 02:46
• Story ID: 2892
• Location: KIRKUK, IQ