Joint training strengthens partnerships

AVIANO AIR BASE, ITALY

03.24.2016

Story by Airman 1st Class Cary Smith 

31st Fighter Wing

The event was designed to enhance joint tactics and strengthen relationships within the local area.

"The event was first held last year to form working partnerships," said Staff Sgt. Travis Beatty, 31st SFS military working dog handler. "The most important part of the day was building relationships with the host nation, and the K-9 training helped us do that."

The 31st SFS K-9 unit invited the Carabinieri, Italian Polizia, and U.S. Army K-9 units to practice detection and patrol techniques. Additionally, 31st SFS Combat Arms Training and Maintenance Airmen, Italian Polizia snipers, Italian and 31st Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal members, and U.S. Army veterinarian specialists teamed up during the training.

"We wanted to coordinate with all parties involved because we all work together," said Tech. Sgt. Cal Rogers, 31st SFS MWD kennel master. "If there was ever a serious incident in this region, it's good for both U.S. and Italian forces to know how to integrate capabilities."

After short introductions, all attendees split up into their respective specialties and got straight to business. EOD members practiced disarming explosives as the K-9 handlers partnered to better understand each other's training methods.

"Air Force working dogs are trained for both patrol and detection, so we require our dogs to be on a leash when working," said Rogers. "There's a noticeable difference in the dog and handler partnership during the detection training."

Rogers explained that the event allowed U.S. handlers to see the advantages and disadvantages of how Italians work with an off-leash dog, while Italian handlers observed how a handler must adapt to a leashed canine. During the training, Italian handlers incorporated some U.S. training methods to advance their dog's detection skills.

"It was good for the Italian handlers to use the toy reward instead of food rewards like we usually do," said Nicola Filippo, Italian Polizia assistant chief of the K-9 unit at Venice Marco Polo Airport. "The best part of the event was when our dogs got to detect U.S. materials and training aids that they're not used to."

While the K-9 units were finding training aids, 31st CES and Italian EOD members partnered for various disarming exercises.

"When the Italians hosted the event last year there were several EOD scenarios, so we provided the same opportunity this year," said Beatty. "The EOD teams were at a different complex than the K-9 units because of their equipment. In a real-world scenario they would be right there to disarm any explosives our dogs found."

At the EOD site, both U.S. and Italian members shared their knowledge and equipment for disarming explosives.

When noon approached, all attendees joined for a different kind of partnership-building activity. A hard day's work is only complete in Italy with good food; so Aviano Airmen provided their sister service and international partners an American-style lunch: grilled burgers and sausages. After bellies were filled, training continued.

"These events have to continue because they elevate our training and build such good relationships," said Filippo. "The best way for us to improve the quality of the dogs is to work together, and now we all know who we are and how we work."

The attendees look forward to next year's event to build on their partnership and advance their training.

"We want to continue this working partnership because our end goal is the same," said Rogers. "We go out and find explosives, drugs and bad guys, and it's a good day when we can do that together successfully."

• Date Taken: 03.24.2016
• Date Posted: 04.19.2016 07:57
• Story ID: 195754
• Location: AVIANO AIR BASE, IT