MWD retires from service

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Sean Davis, 7th Security Forces Squadron, military working dog (MWD) handler removes FForde’s MWD badge to relinquish his duties, Sept. 25, 2014, at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. FForde served as a MWD for eight years, which included four deployments where he provided improvised detection capabilities and security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Autumn Velez/Released)

MWD retires from service

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Sean Davis, 7th Security Forces Squadron, military working dog (MWD) handler, stands at attention next to his MWD, FForde Sept. 25, 2014 at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. Upon retirement, FForde will become part of Davis’ family. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Autumn Velez/Released)

MWD retires from service

U.S. Air Force Maj. Sarah Babbitt, 7th Security Forces Squadron commander, speaks at military working dog (MWD) FForde’s retirement Sept. 25, 2014 at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. FForde started his career in the military the day he was born into the MWD “Puppy Program”. Once old enough, he was enlisted in the United States Air Force and began his training in explosive detection and patrolling. After FForde was fully certified, he was assigned to Dyess. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Autumn Velez/Released)

MWD retires from service

Members of team Dyess attend the retirement of military working dog FForde Sept. 25, 2014 at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. FForde served Dyess by conducting daily random antiterrorism sweeps across the installation, ensuring the safety of B-1B Lancers, C-130Js, the munitions storage area and base aircraft resources.(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Autumn Velez/Released)

MWD retires from service

Published Oct. 8, 2014
By Senior Airman Peter Thompson
7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Military Working Dog Fforde, 7th Security Forces Squadron, retired from active duty service during a ceremony here, Sept. 26, 2014.

Fforde has been assigned to Dyess since 2008, after being certified and trained by the Department of Defense Military Working Dog Breeding Program at Lackland AFB, Texas, commonly referred as the "Puppy Program" in the MWD community.

Military working dogs and their handlers develop a close bond during their time together. Staff Sgt. Sean Davis, 7th Security Forces Squadron, met Fforde for the first time shortly before departing from Dyess for a deployment. Within only two weeks Fforde and Davis connected.

"Fforde and I had to learn how each other operated on the fly while going through a regional training center," Davis said. "Once we understood each other we were good to go and everything became easier as time went on."

Even though they had only been working together for a short period of time, the two earned a Top Dog award at the training center and continued to grow as a team during their deployment to Oman.

"We worked every day for almost six months straight," he said. "We saw each other all the time. It became a routine and Fforde loved it. It was like he knew what I was going to do before I did it and vice versa."

Over the last year and a half, Davis and Fforde have grown closer daily. Fforde's six years of service took a toll on his body, inhibiting his ability to work. Suitable canines that can no longer meet the MWD requirements are offered for adoption. When it was decided Fforde would be medically retired because of problems with his hind legs, Davis decided their partnership was far from over.

"I was his last handler," Davis said. "He and I already have a strong bond together; I know him very well. I wanted him to go and live his life comfortably with me and my family."

Fforde's retirement will be the polar opposite from his active duty tour. Davis said he is going to spend his retirement living his days on a couch enjoying life, not having to worry about working and just being a dog.

Military working dogs are enlisted members of the DoD just as Airmen are. The defenders serve and protect communities, installations and Air Force assets. They make sacrifices to ensure safety and mission success.

The unity between military working dogs and their trainers is best illustrated by a quote found on the Military Working Dog Teams National Monument:   "And when death takes his master on the battlefield, there his dog will be found, his eyes sad but vigilant, faithful and true to the very end."