Airmen, canines make doggone good team

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Patrice Clarke
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL. AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Looking out for one another and always having each others back in a time of need is what the Wingman concept is all about. For 11 members of the 6th Security Forces Squadron military working dog section, their wingman is of the four legged variety.

The 11 teams consisting of handlers and their dogs make up the section that contributes to base protection. To the handlers and trainers it's not just about doing the job it's about working with a great partner.

"This is the best job," said Tech. Sgt. Thomas Hammond, 6th SFS military working dog trainer. "Even though I am not a handler, working with dogs is the best part of my job."

The two most common military working dog breeds usually selected for duty are about 1 to 2 year old German shepherd and Belgian Malanois. Once selected, the dogs begin a 60 to 90 day training regime at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. This is where the dogs are first taught to detect either explosives or drugs. They also learn deterrence training and how to protect their handlers at all times.

Servicemembers who want to become handlers must also meet strict requirements. They must be in the security forces career field and must be a senior airman or higher in rank. They must have at least 33 months time in service and have their five-level skill rating complete. They must also get the base kennel master's approval to be selected.

Once selected, the Airmen attend Lackland's 11-week long MWD handler's course. The handlers-in-training meet their new best friend and begin learning to control and work with their dog.

At home station, a typical day for a handler and his dog can entail everything from going through exercise at the kennel to random housing area searches remarked Staff Sgt. Ricky Glass, 6th SFS military working dog handler.

Just like military members, the working dogs put in long hours on the job and need down time and play time.

"Even on my days off I will come here to play with my dog and take him out to the beach so he can go off and just be a dog," said Sergeant Glass. "He's my best friend and my partner and I try to do everything I can to make him happy."

Whether working hard, training hard, or playing hard, these 11 partners protect the base day and night. To the handlers, they wouldn't have it any other way.