Photo By Cpl. Sarah Grawcock | U.S. Marine Corps Military Working Dog Rambo, assigned to the Provost Marshal’s Office, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (H&HS), Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, poses for a photo at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, May 20, 2026. Rambo has been at MCAS Iwakuni for over five years, conducting several anti-terrorism measures, customs sweeps and over 100 K-9 demonstrations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Sarah Grawcock) see less
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI – On a base full of U.S. Marines working hard day in and day out, there’s one Marine who has called MCAS Iwakuni his home for 25 years... In dog years.
Military Working Dog Rambo, a German Shepard, Belgian Malinois mix, received his orders to MCAS Iwakuni at three years old in 2021 after completing his initial training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Despite being the oldest working dog with the Provost Marshal’s Office kennels aboard MCAS Iwakuni, he continues to be at the top of his game.
Rambo now spends most of his time with his current handler, Cpl. Thomas O'Brien, a military working dog handler with the Provost Marshal’s Office, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (H&HS), MCAS Iwakuni and a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
"I started working with Rambo about 2-3 months ago,” said O’Brien, “I show up to the kennels at 0400 to make sure he is well fed, check to see if he is good medically, and that he is ready to go for the workday.”
After the early morning kennel check, Rambo and O’Brien conduct a pre-brief at the PMO building to let PMO Marines who are currently on shift know what they have planned for the day. On a usual workday, O’Brien and Rambo patrol for about 5-6 hours, primarily focusing on high foot traffic areas where Rambo conducts substance detections, sniffing for any prohibited substances he was trained to find.
After patrolling, O’Brien takes Rambo back to the kennels to do an obstacle course, patrol training, directional control training, or substance detection training.
“I squeeze in about an hour of training to fine tune his skills and help maintain mission readiness.” Said O’Brien. “After that, he goes home, back to his kennel, where he can relax and be a dog for the rest of the night.”
Just like any Marine, Rambo is dedicated to his physical fitness. Twice a month, the handlers will host a physical training event for their dogs consisting of runs, rucks, or combat circuits. They also join Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron for their monthly squadron PT. Throughout the year, the handlers conduct quarterly training with MCAS Iwakuni’s Explosive Ordnance Detection team, as well as K-9 handlers from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Hiroshima Police Department handlers. While the other dogs may be younger and closer to their prime years, Rambo’s drive for work lets him keep up with them and his handler.
“Rambo is smart.” Said Sgt. Abraham Gonzalez, a military working dog handler with the Provost Marshalls Office, HHS, MCAS Iwakuni. “He is the type to be well behaved and is loyal to his handler.”
As a result of his dedicated service at MCAS Iwakuni, Rambo has become a well-known face throughout the installation. Since he arrived, he has gone on several substance detection calls, supported several hundred random anti-terrorism measures, customs sweeps, and has been a part of over a hundred K-9 demonstrations for multiple units and sections across MCAS Iwakuni.
“I like to call him a PR (Public Relations) dog; a lot of people know Rambo by name just because of how well-mannered he is around people and other Marines.” Said O’Brien.
While Rambo’s prime years are in the past, Rambo still isn’t finished with his service. “The thing about Rambo is that even though he’s old, he’s still relatively in good health and I see a lot of more years of work to come from him”. Said O’Brien. “It’s a pleasure to work with a little furry friend every day.”
Even at the age of seven years old, and being the oldest dog at the kennels, Rambo continues to show motivation and excitement for the job.
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