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(U.S. Air Fore* photos)really gone to the dogs6 GULF DEFENDER January 6. 1989Take a bite out of crimeThis is one unit that'sBy Arni. Stsphsn Stole** ADWC Public AffairsWhat do military working dogs do? They help take a bite out of crime!The six dogs at the 325th Security Police Squadron working dog section work full time along with security police patrolling and protecting the base.The Air Force currently has more than 2,200 military working dogs. According to SSgt. Thomas M. Ehtlers, explosive dog handler, the Air Force uses the dogs because they have an infinitely better smelling ability than humans.Once the Air Force has selected a dog, the dog is shipped to Lackland AFB, Texas. At Lackland, they undergo an eight-week basic training course where they learn the basics of patrolling, searching and attacking.The instructors train the dogs by using doggie treats. The instructor hides the doggie treats and has the dog find them. As the dogs become more experienced in finding the treats, the instructor places the treat in more difficult places to find.“Once they arrive here they already know the basics,” said MSgt. Michael Myers, noncommissioned officer in charge ofthe military working dog section.“What we do is teach more advanced techniques in searching and attacking,” said Sergeant Myers.“Every week the dogs are taken out for exercising and grooming by their handler who is the only person the dog works with. The exercising keeps the dog fit for patrolling and keeps them alert.“Every dog is different and it’s hard to know what to expect from the dog when we first get it, but we do know that the dog is trained well enough for us to be able to handle. We have never had any problems herewith the dogs going out of control,” said Sergeant Myers.“We used to have dogs that ripped up everything looking for drugs. But the Air Force had that stopped in 1979 because it cost the Air Force too much to pay for the damage and the dog’s behavior was unnecessary,” said Sgt. James R. Dickers, training NCO.Today, military working dogs are more laid back than their predecessors. Now when the dogs smell drugs they sit down. Their dog handler understands from this that the dog has found something.Because of dogs keen sense ofsmell they are also used to sniff out explosives.“WHhen the explosives are involved, we use the dogs to find and retrieve it. Dogs can sometimes be more effective than a person because the dog only does what it was trained to do, and doesn’t consider what he is getting into,” said Sergeant Ehtlers, explosive detector dog handler.“We trust these dogs; we have to because one day our lives may depend on one of these dogs. I believe these dogs are trained well enough to protect and defend us from anyone or anything,” concluded Sergeant Myers.
Newspaper Details
Panama City Gulf Defender
Panama City, Florida, US
Fri, Jan 06, 1989
Page 7
Full Page
Clipped by
Camille C.
USA 05 Jun 2025
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