Photo By Staff Sgt. Kelly Carlton | Spc. Brandan Poyneer, a specialized search dog handler assigned to En. K9 Company, 5th...... read more read more
FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. – The 252nd Military Police Detachment hosted a Forces Command annual K9 certification March 5-8 at various locations across the installation for nine military working dog teams.
The Army currently offers the additional skill identifier of military working dog handler to military police and engineer soldiers who graduate from the Department of Defense Military Working Dog School, held at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.
Fort Leonard Wood operates two kennels; one that is assigned to the Director of Emergency Services for K9 military police soldiers and one that is assigned to the Army’s only Engineer K9 Company.
Of the nine military working dog teams slated to qualify, three are assigned to the En. K9 Company, part of the 5th Engineer Battalion, 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, here.
The qualifications are determined by an external certifying authority that tests the team’s ability to identify threats in five key regions: vehicles, buildings, roads, arenas and open areas.
Spc. Brandan Poyneer, a specialized search dog handler assigned to En. K9 Company, said that a military working dog team’s ability to clear areas, such as high traffic roadways, greatly enhances the unit’s ability to function while overseas.
“During the certification, we are expected to work as a team to find explosive materials that are strategically placed to hinder operations,” he said. “By locating this stuff, we can keep others safe…we can keep our brothers in the fight.”
In addition to detection searches, the military working dog teams are evaluated in obedience, reaction to gun fire and canine first aid.
“The reason we have our soldiers go through these ‘problems’ is because it gives the commander confidence to send them out on mission,” said Sgt. 1st Class David Richmond, En. K9 Company kennel master.
“When they successfully complete the Army-required certification, they are able to deploy overseas, or even within the United States, to assist local authorities in searching and identifying explosives,” he said.
All three of Richmond’s Soldiers received FORSCOM-level certification.
“Its days like these when I am really able to hone the skills the Army has given me,” said Poyneer. “The title of ‘certified’ detection dog handler is really just the icing on the cake after a job well done.”
FORSCOM certifying authorities are scheduled to visit Fort Leonard Wood this May for additional qualifications.
| Date Taken: | 03.09.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 03.12.2012 18:46 |
| Story ID: | 85128 |
| Location: | FORT LEONARD WOOD, MO, US |
| Hometown: | ENDICOTT, NY, US |
| Web Views: | 250 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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