The four-legged defenders of the JBSA> Air Education and Training Command> Post display


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JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas– Members and dogs of the military working dog section of the 902nd Security Forces Squadron train together daily to practice operations such as drug and explosives detection, the arrest of assailants, specialized missions and daily base patrols.

The training acts as a link between MWDs and their handlers to ensure the safety of JBSA personnel, property and resources.

“Military working dogs are our partners,” Tech said. Sgt. Mark Devine, 902nd SFS Kennel Master. “They are family.”

The 341st Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland is responsible for the initial training of all MWD managers in MWD patrol, basic training, scouting and first aid.

The 341st TRS Department of Defense MWD Center rears puppies and trains them from birth to pass the certification process to become MWDs.

Dogs that do not meet DOD criteria are adopted or turned over to local law enforcement authorities. The main breed of MWDs in the Air Force are Dutch Shepherds and Belgian Malinois.

“Our daily routine begins with feeding the dogs,” said Senior Airman Taylor Bryant, manager of the 902nd SFS MWD. “We give them a rest period of one hour and before they start training.”

Managers prepare and execute basic obedience commands with their MWDs to strengthen their relationship. They perform various demonstrations in the practice yard to prepare for real world scenarios. If the MWD performs satisfactorily after each training exercise, the handler congratulates it on its progress.

“I recently became a dog handler and making a connection with my dog ​​is a great experience,” said Bryant.

Throughout the day, dog handlers place their MWDs in kennels to give them breaks between training segments, allowing them to cool down and get enough rest.

“I love being a military working dog handler because of how rewarding it is,” Devine said. “A manager needs early mornings, long days and late nights. It is extremely rewarding to see all the hard work that you and your partner have put in and the results of it.

Whenever MWDs start showing signs of slowing down, a kennel master will prepare a disposition pack, removing that dog and finding a suitable home for them.

Devine said the disposition package takes about two months from start to finish. After that, the dog will live his retirement life with a former master or a suitable adoptee.

Until then, MWDs continue to train alongside their managers here to ensure the protection of JBSA facilities and members.

“It’s really good to train with my dog,” said Evans. “I treat her like she’s a girl to me, and we try to learn as much as possible during this time that we have together.”

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