K-9 team keeps crime on a leash

Published March 8, 2008
By Senior Airman Tong Duong
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- With his ears perked and senses at full alert, Bruno sniffs at the morning air for a familiar scent, one he's been trained to detect since youth.

He's a military working dog deployed here with his handler to provide additional installation security because of his unique traits and training.

"It's important to have MWDs deployed here because their primary mission is to detect and prevent any explosive materials from entering the base," said David Aviles, 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron kennel master. "The canine team is also an excellent deterrence measure. People see the canine team's presence around the installation and don't try to get away with anything."

All military working dogs begin their training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and go though the Defense Department's 120-day training course to learn drug and bomb detection and patrol, according to Staff Sgt. Kent Bass, U.S. Air Forces Central Command MWD liaison, deployed here from Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

"We start off with the puppy program, were we take a puppy from Lackland's kennel and give them to qualified families to raise for 8-12 months," said Sergeant Bass.

"When they are of age, we put the dogs through the training course, the conclusion of which starts their process of becoming a certified MWD."

To better train the canines, the program is tailored to the different drives and traits of a dog, so they can complete their training within the specified timeframe.

"We start out with a toy and see if they are active in the pursuit," Sergeant Bass said. "With the different traits we are able to better work with each dog and transfer from attack work to the training needed."

Several breeds of dogs are used in the DoD program, but the Air Force primarily uses Belgian Malinois and German Sheppards, Sergeant Bass said.

"With 11 years in the military as a cop and eight-years as a handler, I personally like the Belgian Malinois because they tend to be slender, more aggressive, and faster than the German Sheppards," he said.

According to Staff Sgt. Kenneth Williams, 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron MWD handler deployed here from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., having a canine as a partner has many advantages.

"I've been working with seasoned 'NCO,' Bruno, a 9-year-old German Sheppard, for the last six months, and he helps to de-escalate situations a lot faster because of his teeth, they're intimidating," Sergeant Williams said. "I've liked dogs since I was young, so to become a dog handler has fulfilled one of my dreams."

As he looks down to scratch Bruno between the ears, Sergeant Williams reminisces about his most memorable moment with his dog.

"I remember when I first picked up Bruno back at Nellis and I had gone to eat for lunch," he said. "Half way through, I had to respond to a traffic stop, so I got out and made contact with the driver. When I got back to the car, Bruno was licking his lips; apparently, he got into my mashed potatoes."

On a typical day, Sergeant Williams will pick Bruno up from the kennel and head to the search pits, where they spend a good portion of the day searching vehicles. When they are not there, the duo does patrol or training around the base and ramp, just so their presence is seen base wide.

Sergeant Williams asked his partner, "How has your deployment to Southwest Asia been so far?"

"Wroof," Bruno answered.