U.S. Air Force Military Working Dog Suk waits to begin a day of training and patroling at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Aug. 15, 2012. Military Working Dogs are commonly used for detecting narcotics, explosives and other harmful materials. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration/Airman 1st Class Xavier Lockley)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joshua Fehringer and Military Working Dog Suk, 27th Special Operations Security Forces Squadron, conduct random vehicle inspections at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Aug. 15, 2012. Military Working Dogs are commonly used for detecting narcotics, explosives and other harmful materials. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Xavier Lockley)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt Joshua Fehringer, 27th Special Operations Security Forces Squadron K9 handler, shows an identification tattoo of Military Working Dog Suk, at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Aug. 15, 2012. Military Working Dogs are commonly used for detecting narcotics, explosives and other harmful materials. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Xavier Lockley)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joshua Fehringer, 27th Special Operations Security Forces Squadron K9 handler, communicates via radio with the base defense operations center prior to rolling out at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Aug. 15, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Xavier Lockley)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joshua Fehringer, 27th Special Operations Security Forces Squadron K9 handler, guides Suk, a Military Working Dog across the obedience course at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Aug. 15, 2012. The obedience course is used to simulate situations a MWD may face in the field. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Xavier Lockley)
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Christopher Thomas and Staff Sgt. Joshua Fehringer, 27th Special Operations Security Forces Squadron K9 handlers, work with Military Working Dog Suk on aggression training at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Aug. 15, 2012. Aggression training is used to simulate situations a MWD may face in the field. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Xavier Lockley)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joshua Fehringer, 27th Special Operations Security Forces Squadron K9 handler, walks with Military Working Dog Suk during a presence patrol at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Aug. 15, 2012. Presence patrols remind the public of the presence of Military Working Dogs and 27 SOSFS members. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Xavier Lockley)
by Airman 1st Class Xavier Lockley
27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
8/20/2012 - CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Crime happens in many forms and often requires all five senses to solve, but sometimes all that is needed is a good nose.
Military Working Dogs with the 27th Special Operations Security Forces Squadron have noses that are second to none. The role these dogs play is tremendous when it comes
to sniffing out certain aspects of crime solving.
Military Working Dogs are commonly used for detecting narcotics, explosives and other harmful materials.
"Knowing your dog is key; they aren't human so you have to take extra time to get to know them," said Tech. Sgt. Esther Standridge, 27 SOSFS kennel master.
On a day-to-day basis, security forces members don't know what to expect, especially MWD handlers. In this sort of partnership troops have to be ready for anything, but they also have to trust their partner will do the right thing when the need arises.
The relationship between a dog and their handler is unique due to the fact that it's based on trust.
"We don't look at them just as dogs, we look at them like human partners," said Tech. Sgt. David Emington, 27 SOSFS kennel master.
Training is an important part of building trust. The amount of time a dog and handler spend to make sure they have a cohesive partnership is crucial for the protection of Air Commandos.
Before a handler can be certified, they partner with their MWD and go through rapport building. Rapport building consists of 60 days of basic obedience, grooming and dog walking. It gives the dog the ability to trust its handler.
"Before we even begin training with the dogs, we have to have that time to learn the dogs body rhythms and temperament," said Emington. "If you have a dog who is normally hyper and very active and the next day they are sluggish and lethargic, then you would want to check on the dog. It all comes with knowing your dog which is why we put a lot of emphasis on training."
"The best part of being a dog handler is when you look into your dog's eyes and know that he would lay his life on the line to protect yours," he said.
