Military working dogs detect and deter

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas—Staff Sgt. Shawn Rankins, 7th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, commands military working dog, Condor, to bite during a training exercise June 9 here. Military working dogs are trained daily to support the squadron’s mission to detect and deter. The training consists of a combination of explosive and patrol work. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Brittney Smolinski)

Military working dogs detect and deter

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas— Senior Airman Robert Evilsizer (left) and Staff Sgt. Shawn Rankins (right), both 7th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handlers, practice with military working dog, Condor, on attacks during a training exercise June 9 here. Military working dogs are trained daily in order to support the squadron’s mission to detect and deter. The training consists of a combination of explosive and patrol work. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Brittney Smolinski)

MWDs: Dyess’ defender dogs

Published Oct. 26, 2010
By Senior Airman Felicia Juenke
7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas-- -- The 7th Security Forces Squadron military working dog section helps safeguard Dyess Air Force Base by conducting foot patrols, vehicle inspections and anti-terrorism tasks, and also making time to train.

"We train the dogs daily, but they don't always listen so that makes our job a little tougher," said Tech. Sgt. Kevin Veneman, 7 SFS kennel master.

MWDs are initially trained at Lackland AFB, Texas, between the ages of 12 and 36 months. After that, they're sent to operational units throughout the Department of Defense to start work. The dogs are used in patrols, drug and explosive detection and other specialized mission functions.

Once a security forces member becomes a senior airman, they are eligible to submit a package to become a MWD handler. Handlers also train at Lackland in an 11-week course consisting of six weeks of patrol and five weeks of detection. During the training, the handlers deal with numerous MWDs to keep it challenging for dog and handler alike.

"I have been a handler for three years and I still find it difficult to deal with so many dogs and their different personalities," said Staff Sgt. Rafael Rhodes, a MWD handler here. "But I get to work with my best friend every day, and that makes my job easier."

While the kennel master and trainers start their day at 7:30 a.m. and end it at 4:30 p.m, there is at least one MWD team on every flight, which ensures a MWD is on duty around the clock.

The MWDs are trained on an obstacle course next to their kennels. The obstacle course consists of tunnels, jumps and climbs to better prepare them for all terrain. They are also trained on finding narcotics and bombs, as well as strengthening their bite.

Although training takes up most of their duty day, the MWD unit still finds time to demonstrate their skills during base tours and dog demos.

"It is so rewarding to be able to demonstrate the role of the MWD teams to the Abilene community as well as Air Force members," said Sergeant Veneman. "It's surprising that some Air Force members still don't know what all we do until they see these demos or they see us deployed."