Staff Sgt. Charles Bell and his military working dog, Nico, get some exercise at the obstacle course in the obedience yard, April 23. The course allows Nico to not only exercise, but to practice possible obstacles he might be faced with. Bell is assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron as a dog handler and both are deployed from Travis Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Joel Mease)

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Staff Sgt. Charles Bell and his military working dog, Nico, get some exercise at the obstacle course in the obedience yard, April 23. The course allows Nico to not only exercise, but to practice possible obstacles he might be faced with. Bell is assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron as a dog handler and both are deployed from Travis Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Joel Mease)

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Nico stands guard next to his 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron dog handler, Staff Sgt. Charles Bell, in the obedience yard, April 23. Partners for two years, and on their second deployment, they build bonds together by playing and training during the day. Bell and Nico are deployed from Travis Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Joel Mease)

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Nico warns a mock suspect to comply during a training session in the obedience yard, April 23. He has been in the Air Force military working dog program for four years. Nico is deployed from Travis Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Joel Mease)

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Day on the Job: Kennel

SOUTHWEST ASIA – Tech. Sgt. David Helmbrecht, 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron kennel master, prepares to allow Nico to bite him on the bite sleeve in the obedience yard, April 23. Dog handlers have to know their dog is capable of biting a person when ordered to, and if the dog will follow the command to stop as well. Helmbrecht is deployed from Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., and Nico is deployed from Travis Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Joel Mease)

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Tech. Sgt. David Helmbrecht, 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron kennel master, swings Nico after the military working dog successfully attacks the bite sleeve in the obedience yard, April 23. Because of Nico’s weight and the force of his momentum when he attacks, dog handlers swing him when they wear the bite suit to help prevent Nico from injuring himself. Helmbrecht is deployed from Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., and Nico is deployed from Travis Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Joel Mease)

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A Day on the Job: The Kennel

Published April 26, 2013

Day on the Job: Kennel