Military working dogs get nosy in bad guys' business

Published July 29, 2011
By Staff Sgt. John Wright
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- When a human smells a cheeseburger, the mind's interpretation is "that's a cheeseburger." When a military working dog smells a cheeseburger, its interpretation is, "I smell iceberg lettuce, cheese made with whole milk, California tomatoes, an 80 percent lean beef patty cooked over match-light coals and mustard."

This heightened sense of smell is what makes the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron's canines an asset in detecting and preventing illegal drugs and explosives from entering Bagram Airfield.

"Our main mission is force protection, entry control point operations, conducting random antiterrorism measures and foot patrols," said Tech. Sgt. Stacy Trucott, 455th ESFS, military working dog kennel master. "Our dogs have a great capability for detecting explosives, so we are a valuable asset when it comes to saving lives and getting the mission accomplished."

According to Trucott, the military working dog's bread and butter is ensuring vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices do not make it onto Bagram AF; that's where we save lives.

"Our dogs also provide a psychological deterrence," said Trucott, a Tampa, Fla., native deployed from the 375 SFS at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. "When people see our dogs, they're less likely to do something they shouldn't."

The canines also frequently go outside the wire with the 455 ESFS's Quick Response Team to clear the local area around the base. While on a mission, the dogs will walk ahead of their patrol and use their senses to detect buried or hidden improvised explosive devices.

"My favorite part of this job is going on a mission," said Staff Sgt. Franklin Walton, 455 ESFS military working dog handler. "When your dog finds something and saves the lives of you and your fellow troops behind you, that is the greatest feeling ever."

The Department of Defense primarily uses German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois in the military working dog program, and those two breeds compose the military working dogs at Bagram AF.

"These breeds have a good mixture of sniffing behavior," Trucott said. "They also have right attributes to be aggressive, if their handler is threatened or if they are commanded."

While a military canine is essential for protection and detection, it's not complete without its handler. The dogs are paired with a handler at their home station, and the two deploy as a team. The pair undergoes four months of rigorous training to build rapport and effectively communicate. Before deploying, they have to pass a validation test by their kennel master.

Walton and his dog, Rudo, have been together for more than two years, and the pair still train daily to hone their skills.

"We have to train them to maintain proficiency," Walton said. "Our dogs are rigorously trained and are in great shape. It's an honor to be able to train with them and detect threats."

As part of their training, the dogs are taught "bite work." A handler, posing as a bad guy, will wear a padded sleeve that the canine is trained to attack. Another handler will give the dog commands based on the actions of the suspect. Additionally, the dogs are taught to "watch" or "escort" an individual. The dog will focus intently on the person, awaiting commands or provocation.

Walton, a Cleveland native deployed from the 4 SFS at Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C., said the constant training helps build rapport with his dog that is essential to accomplishing the canine mission. During the intense training and combat missions, handlers and dogs often form a strong bond and "essentially become family," he said.

"When I first got him I had to play with him a lot," Walton said about Rudo. "I actually sat inside his cage and read to him. At first we didn't get along, but now we're like best friends. He understands me and I understand him. Sometimes when he doesn't feel like working, I have to push him and praise him up; and it's the same with me. If I'm having a bad day, he'll come lick my face and make me feel better."

Senior Airman Brandon Edwards is also a 455 ESFS military working dog handler at Bagram AF that has formed a strong bond with his dog, Waldo.

"It's hard to explain," Edwards said. "It's like having the perfect partner. No matter what you do, they're still there for you like a child that is your best friend. They always have your back; it's like having a guardian angel with four legs."

Waldo, a combat-veteran canine with hundreds of finds under his collar, turns 10 years old in October and is on his last tour of duty.

"He's had a long and fulfilling career," Edwards said. "The dogs in the military are asked to work long and hard for several years, but in those years, they are taken care of better than most house pets. But for him I think it was great; he kept the streets of Charleston Air Force Base safe and performed his deployed duties to the best of his abilities every time he was asked to."

Edwards, a Waterloo, Ill., native, deployed from the 628 SFS at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., plans on adopting Waldo after they return to the U.S.

As the sun sets on Waldo's career, Edwards said the sense of fulfillment he and the other handlers have from getting to work with military working dogs is second to none. Trucott echoed his handler's sentiment.

"The Air Force pays us to work with dogs all day," he said. "Between the dogs and the handlers, we have a great crew, and we're getting the mission done."

A mission isn't complete without a motto, and the military working dogs have one that embodies what they're all about.

"Our motto is 'we are guardians of the night,'" Trucott said. "While people are resting and sleeping safe and sound, we're out getting the mission done and protecting the base."

(Editor's note: Staff Sgt. Matthew Zantene contributed to this article)