Working dog team partners to secure Alaska's interior

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Christopher Boitz
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  The Department of Homeland Security teamed up with the base here in an effort to keep the Fairbanks North Star Borough safer May 5.

A Military Working Dog team, 354th Security Forces Squadron and an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, 354th Civil Engineering Squadron, swept the new wing of the Fairbanks International Airport for explosives prior its May 7 grand opening.

"Eielson (AFB) is a critical resource for us to tap in to," said Greg Kranich, DHS transportation security inspector. "They provide a high level of confidence for the public and give an extra layer of security to the airport."

"We currently are in the process of getting three DHS K-9 teams for the airport, but they won't be operational until later this year," he added.

Staff Sgt. Robert Brown, the MWD handler who conducted the sweep, is one of the only certified bomb dog handlers in the area. Currently, Eielson's MWD teams solely provide support to Alaska's Interior.

Sergeant Brown and his MWD Benny both share an acute attention to detail which helps them provide safety to the base as well as the general public.

"Our searches are thorough, we hit all the 'productive areas' where someone might hide something," said Sergeant Brown. "It's important to assess the environment around us and know where to look."

Some of the 'productive areas' the team searched included but were not limited to: cabinets, drawers, desks and high traffic areas.

Seeing the team in action is also a deterrent that thwarts people from intending to cause destruction.

"Having a physical presence psychologically helps the public feel safe," said Sergeant Brown. "And it also deters people from considering doing malicious acts towards others."

Although no explosives were found during the sweep, EOD was on hand to take care of the situation and neutralize any threat.

"A lot of people don't know we're out and about, but we are," said Sergeant Brown. "People can rest easy and assured - we're highly trained and our job is to ensure the public is safe and secure from threats."