Take this job and love it: Four-legged Airmen bred to serve

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Michael Battles
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Editor's Note: This is the fifth in a series called "Take this job and love it," which are stories based on service members with interesting careers and their experiences.

For most individuals looking at Security Forces, they envision a very professional service member in a crisply pressed uniformed service member, but normally forget the four-legged Airmen who serve beside them.

Military working dogs are used by the Department of Defense as a resource for explosive and drug detection as well as patrol work.

"MWD's are a valuable force multiplier, and are great as a less-than-lethal-force tool," said Tech. Sgt. Tony Potter, 51st Security Forces Squadron dog handler. "With their increased sense of smell and hearing, they can detect a hidden intruder in some of the most adverse conditions."

MWD's are one of the most used resources in security forces, according to Staff Sgt. Franklin Walton, 51st dog handler.

Dogs and their handlers form a mutual protective bond. Through training and instinct the MWDs protect their handlers from harm.

"They are capable of reacting to an aggressive move by someone without having the handler command them to do so, and thereby stop a hostile act before it can escalate into serious bodily harm or escape," Potter said.

Once selected for the MWD program, each dog goes through a rigorous two to 12 months of training at Joint Base San Antonio - Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Joint service personnel train all MWDs for the DOD at Lackland.

Breeds for the program are selected based upon qualities and traits best for the program, Potter said. The most commonly used breeds are from the herding class such as German Sheppards, Belgian Malinois and Dutch Sheppards.

The amount of training depends on how well the dogs adapt to the program, he said.

MWD's can be brought into the program as early as 10 months old, but must begin training before age 2, or they become ineligible.

"Military working dogs are like Airmen," Walton said. "When they are at Lackland, it's their bootcamp. When we receive them, they are like a three-level Airman. As we work with them, they progress into a five-level."

Once a handler retrieves a MWD for a base, that handler is attached to that dog until the handler changes bases. MWD are permanently assigned to that station.

"I'm the only one who touches or trains him unless we have a medical emergency," Walton said about Vito, his 2-year-old Belgian Malinois. "In that case we have a vet on staff, and we also have kennel masters on staff."

During a normal duty day, a MWD will train on basic obedience at the obstacle course, and on detection and attack procedures.

"The dog has no fear at all, so we're just building their confidence up," Walton said.

MWDs will also accompany their handlers during normal operations throughout the day, such as patrol work, guarding the gate, and performing car inspections. They even participate in Osan Air Base's quarterly operational readiness inspections and periodic emergency management exercises.

Most MWD's will serve under the DOD for 10 to 12 years before they are retired from the program, Walton said. The length of time served varies for each dog depending on their health and performance.

Much like Airmen in the service, working dogs also deploy, Walton explained. Working dogs are deployed nearly half of their military career.

But also like the service members, the dogs receive the same benefits. MWD's can retire and may be adopted by a family after they have been cleared by the DOD for release into the general population. MWDs must show they no longer have aggressive tendencies.

Must like retired Airmen, these dogs need some rest and relaxation after a life of dedicated service. But until retirement, these dogs are happy patrolling the base, protecting their handlers and, taking a bit out of crime.