Military working dog teams conduct joint training

  • Published
  • By Jerri Huffman
  • 354th Security Forces Squadron
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Securing the harness around his partner, Staff Sgt. Ryan Veith gives a reassuring look into his partner's eyes followed by a quick scratch behind the ear.

Sergeant Vieth's partner is visibly nervous and the deafening roar overhead isn't helping matters.

As the helicopter hovers in place above them, Sergeant Veith is hoisted up into the awaiting helicopter. His teammate Meki quickly follows; mission accomplished for aircrew and military working dog team.

Realizing that hoisting Airmen and military working dogs into and out of hovering helicopters can be stressful, Maj. Jerry Mulhollen, 354th Security Forces Squadron commander, along with military working dog handlers staff sergeants Robert Wilson and Scott Stitt set up the inter-service training with help from Army Maj. Heather Serwon.

"The training familiarizes teams with helicopter medical evacuation and insertion operations," Major Mulhollen said. "The importance of today's joint missions makes being able to train with the Army (before we deploy with them) a vital part to mission success. This exercise is realistic training; however, I hope we never have to use it."

Sergeant Veith said he found the training valuable and he was especially proud of Meki's performance and behavior.

"This is great joint training for our deployments" Sergeant Veith said. "It was an adrenaline rush and the beating of the rotors above added to the effect."

Also participating in the training were 354th SFS dog handlers staff sergeants David Gum, Blake Hemmann and Jedadiah Schroeder accompanied by MWD's Zix and Ben.