K-9 teams enjoy scent of training

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Jeff Hansen | Brandon, a patrol explosives detection dog assigned to U.S. Division-Center, searches for hidden explosives during a training exercise at Victory Base Complex April 5. His handler, Sgt. Kyle Louks, said he is impressed with Brandon's capabilities as a detection dog and prefers explosives detection over narcotics detection, claiming, "Explosives are where you want to be as a handler."  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

04.05.2010

Story by Staff Sgt. Jeff Hansen 

366th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

BAGHDAD — Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower was once quoted as saying, "What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog."

Though he may not have been referring to Military Working Dog teams, the statement holds true for them nonetheless.

The dog teams of U.S. Division-Center support the U.S. mission in Iraq by assisting with cache searches, personnel searches and a wide variety of security duties. The Army calls them individual mobilization augmentees because they deploy separately from their home units to assist units in theater.

The dogs vary in their duties. Some detect explosives while on patrol; others are used for specialized searches. Still others detect narcotics, or assist personnel security teams. The most common duties in USD-C involve explosive detection and personnel security at checkpoints, according to Sgt. 1st Class Shawn John, the USD-C Military Working Dog program manager.

In order to stay vigilant and effective when called upon, the teams must constantly train. This is not always easy because the dogs require plenty of room and a variety of scenarios to keep them fresh.

"They're very smart," said Staff Sgt. Deanna Herrera. "We have to switch it up so they don't get bored."

As a patrol explosive detection dog handler and now a kennel master for the USD-C Provost Marshal Office, Herrera understands the importance of keeping the dogs interested in the task at hand. A Phenix City, Ala., native and augmentee from 209th Military Police Detachment out of Fort Benning, Ga., she ensures the teams are on top of their training and all dogs remain fully mission capable.

One training exercise is to practice explosives detection inside a controlled environment. The teams do so regularly, with patrol teams and a specialized search dog team honing their skills in an exercise to locate hidden explosives within the training area.

The exercise supervisors ensure the dogs respond to odors so the handlers can properly respond to the dogs' change in behavior, said Sgt. Todd Neveu, a dog handler assigned to the 501st MP Company.

"It's up to the handler to know what his dog does [upon detection] so they can react accordingly," said Neveu, a North Attleboro, Mass., native.

These examples of behavioral changes are what the military refers to as "passive reactions," and differ from the active reactions like barking, clawing or biting. According to Neveu, passive reactions are safer for explosives detection, as clawing could be dangerous for the dog and the handler around explosive material.

The first team to conduct recent training consisted of Sgt. Kyle Louks and his partner Brandon; both originally assigned to 252nd MP Det., out of Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Brandon had recently recovered from a leg injury, so his handler was looking forward to getting back into action.

Louks, a native of Hilliard, Ohio, worked with Brandon through a series of shelving units in a warehouse in search of explosives hidden by their supervisors. As Louks expected, Brandon located the hidden items and received his positive reinforcement tool, a big rubber toy.

"He's very thorough," Louks said. "He'll search every box if you don't tell him to come back."

A former narcotics detection dog handler, Louks explained that the process of detection is virtually the same for explosives and narcotics detection teams. They are both taught to "work the source," or pinpoint the item's location based on the general area and strength of the odor.

In addition to explosives detection, some working dog teams are trained to perform basic Army police patrol functions, such as mobile and foot patrols, and building and vehicle searches.

With such a variety of duties to learn and perfect, a military working dog would seem overworked, but Herrera said she has been impressed with the dogs under her watch — no matter what the handlers say about each other.

Goodhearted rivalries between dog handlers are common, with every type of team claiming to be better than the other; common within the military.

Louks is no different. "Explosives are where you want to be."

• Date Taken: 04.05.2010
• Date Posted: 04.07.2010 12:24
• Story ID: 47808
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ