Military Working Dogs defend "The Rock"

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Gabe, a 12 year old German Malinois military working dog, takes a bite out of Tech. Sgt. Nathan Nash?s padded sleeve during an attack demonstration at an undisclosed air base here July 27, 2010. MWDs are essential in safeguarding the base, thanks to their keen sense of smell and loyalty to their handlers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Laura Turner)

Military Working Dogs defend "The Rock"

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Staff Sgt. Lino Estacion, a dog handler with the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, takes his military working dog, Gabe, through an obstacle course at an undisclosed air base here July 27, 2010, as part of a routine training and exercise program. MWDs safeguard base assets and personnel by using their powerful sense of smell to detect dangers during foot patrols and other anti-terrorism tasks. Highly driven military dogs are used in patrol and drug- and explosive-detection missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Laura Turner)

MWD

SOUTHWEST ASIA - Staff Sgt. Lino Estacion, a dog handler with the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, demonstrates the training of a military working dog at an undisclosed air base here July 21, 2010. Each dog is trained to attack and hold an aggressor until ordered to release by its trainer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Laura Turner)

MWD

SOUTHWEST ASIA - Staff Sgts. Lino Estacion (left) and Angelo Reategui (right), dog handlers from the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, demonstrate the training of a military working dog at an undisclosed air base here July 21, 2010. Each dog is trained to walk in front of its handler and watch for sudden movements. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Laura Turner)

MWD

SOUTHWEST ASIA - Col. Rizwan Ali, commander of the 386th Expeditionary Mission Support Group, wears a dog-training sleeve as he experiences the training of military working dogs at an undisclosed air base here July 21, 2010. Staff Sgts. Lino Estacion (right) and Angelo Reategui, dog handlers with the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, conducted the training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Laura Turner)

Military Working Dogs defend "The Rock"

Published Aug. 9, 2010
By Staff Sgt. Stefanie Torres
386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- These four-legged canines are truly an Airman's best friend, especially when it comes to saving lives.

The Military Working Dog Section of the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron has the unique mission of safeguarding an undisclosed air base here with highly motivated K-9 partners. The dogs' powerful sense of smell is useful to Airmen conducting foot patrols, vehicle inspections and other anti-terrorism tasks, while their sense of loyalty provides protection to their human counterparts.

To their handlers, they are more than daily companions. They are also working partners and important force multipliers.

"I trust my dog, and I trust my life with him," Staff Sgt. Lino Estacion said of Gabe, his 12 year-old Belgian Malinois, a sturdy breed that closely resembles German Shepherds. "We have been together quite a bit, and we have completed a lot of missions."

Military working dogs initially are trained at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, when they are between the ages of 12 and 36 months. After that, they are sent to operational units throughout the Department of Defense to start work.

These highly driven dogs are used in patrol, drug- and explosive-detection, and other specialized mission functions, according to the Air Force's military working dog website.
Although this is Sergeant Estacion's fourth overseas deployment, the tour marks his first rotation at the 386th ESFS with Gabe. Because of a recent permanent change of station to Travis Air Force Base, Calif., Sergeant Estacion had just three months to work with Gabe before his deployment.

"I had to build a rapport with him pretty quickly," he said. "We need to be a team and trust each other because of the different types of people, encounters and unfamiliar areas we come across out here."

Gabe has been through extensive training and years of work but still has qualities that are all his own, Sergeant Estacion said. He refers to Gabe as "Chief" because of his personality and experience.

"He is the wise one and always the oldest dog out of every other dog we have ran across," Sergeant Estacion said. "When he is with the other dogs, he is in charge."
The weather here can be imposing for military working dogs, with temperatures regularly exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit, so it's important that handlers to develop an understanding of what each dog can handle out in the field, said Tech. Sgt. Nathan Nash, the squadron's kennel master.

"Constantly being in the sand and heat is a challenge," said Sergeant Nash, who is deployed here from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. "It takes a good couple of weeks to get acclimatized, but that is where it is important to know your dog and know what they can handle. You take care of them, and they will take care of you."

German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherd's are the most common breeds for MWDs because of their intelligence and athleticism. And although their handlers are constantly training them, whether on patrols or running the obstacle course, the dogs make the job worthwhile, Sergeant Nash explained.

"I think, like most people will tell you who do this, the best part is actually working with the dog," he said. "For me, if you love dogs, that's what you should be doing."

The fact that he gets to work with dogs while also serving as a security forces troop makes it that much more enjoyable, he added.

"We are security forces," said Sergeant Nash. "We are here to fight the fight.