Military dogs raised for mission

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Laura McFarlane
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  You can run but this highly trained military professional will sink its teeth into you and throw you onto the ground with brute force. 

Experts in search and rescue to explosive detection, these four-legged animals are also trained in guard duty, security and patrol, and being a partner and companion. 

However, not every dog can be a military working dog. Different aspects are evaluated before a dog is chosen for the Air Force's MWD program. 

The commonly chosen breeds are Belgium malinois and German shepherds. Belgium's are the preferred breed as they have longer life spans making them more cost efficient. The average German shepherd lives to 10 to 12 years, while the average Belgum malinois lives 12 to 15 years. 

But beyond breeding, "a dog needs to show the drive or understanding," said Staff Sgt. Manuel Garcia, 35th Security Forces Squadron. "The dog's drive is its ability to remain focused and determined to obtain a goal." 

The selected K-9's introduction to the Air Force way of life begins almost the same way as basic trainees' at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Training can last from four to six months. Just like human Airmen, variation in time there depends on whether or not they get recycled, or held back. 

"The 120-day program, conducted by the 341st Training Squadron, teaches basic obedience and advanced skills of attack," said Sergeant Garcia. "Dogs receive vigorous training in detection of bombs and drugs, and do a lot of patrol work." 

And the hard work doesn't go unnoticed. 

"The initial program is based on positive rewards -- dog receiving a ball or kong toy." 

Once a K-9 is certified at the schoolhouse after training, it's maintained in the kennels at Lackland until it's sent to its respective base. 

The dogs will remain at one base its whole career, and will average two to four years with one handler because the handler must have a permanent change of station. 

After a dog reaches its first duty assignment, the dog is assigned to a handler. A dog is assigned a handler right away and the first few weeks are designated for K-9 R & R. 

"When the dog and the handler first begin to work together, it's play time as they form that rapport," said Tech. Sgt. Thomas Rodd, 35th SFS. "The dogs learn to fetch spit out a toy on command and perform line drills." 

Formal training begins once the handler feels confident the dog is ready. This involves the dog learning to obey his handler and interpret his moves. 

Tech. Sgt. Paul Barentine, 35th SFS, received his current dog Di-Di (pronounced Dee-Dee) at the beginning of the year. Their first couple months have involved lots of detection training and basic-level training. 

"We consider these dogs to be three-levels and we train as such," said Sergeant Barentine. "It is a daily thing we do. There is a lot of play time and getting a dog comfortable in its new environment." 

Parts of upgrade training involve learning basic and advanced obedience. During basic obedience, the dog is kept close by its handler as it learns hand and verbal commands from its handler. 

Advanced obedience adds distance. The dog must listen to its handler while off its leash. It also learns tactical moves such as low-crawling and rolling. 

For the next few months, after obedience, the handler and his dog will incorporate detection, attack, building searches and gun-fire training into their routine. 

The average MWD works between 10 to 12 years until the dog is retired. After retired from active duty, the dog could be adopted, return to Lackland to train new dogs, or be offered out to local authorities to continue working. 

"We do our best to give all MWDs retirement," said Sergeant Garcia. "Quite frankly, they deserve it. They work countless hours protecting and securing their area of responsibility from enemy threats." 

MWDs have been recognized as "force multipliers" by military fighting forces around the world. "These dogs, along with handlers from every service, are deployed worldwide to support the war on terror, helping to safeguard military bases and activities, and detect explosives before they inflict harm," he said.