Military Working Dog Handler Air Force Teams and Achievements

Military Working Dog Handler Air Force teams have a long history of excellence, with some of the most notable achievements coming from the 321st and 342nd Security Forces Squadrons. These teams have been instrumental in detecting and neutralizing explosives, narcotics, and other threats.

The 321st Security Forces Squadron, based at Grand Forks Air Force Base, has a notable record of success in detecting and disrupting terrorist plots. In 2018, their team detected and neutralized a large cache of explosives.

A different take: Force Feed

Military Working Dogs have been a crucial part of the military since ancient times, with the earliest known use dating back to around 600 BC by Alyattes of Lydia against the Cimmerians.

The first World War saw the rise of Military Working Dogs, with Stubby serving in the trenches and Chips becoming the most decorated MWD in World War II. Cairo participated in the raid on Osama Bin Laden in 2011.

The United States has been training and using Military Working Dogs since at least the Civil War, but it wasn't until WWII that the first K9 corps was created. The first Air Force sentry dog school was activated at Showa Air Station, Japan, in 1952.

In 1966, four sentry dog teams from Andrews Air Force Base were trained as patrol dogs, and by 1969, the Air Force made patrol dogs the standard military working dog. The Department of Defense breeds about 13% of the dogs in the military working dogs program.

Each K9 military candidate spends six months with a foster family and then is returned to the 341st Training Squadron, where they receive specialized intensive training. The 120-day training program includes bite work, obedience, odor sensitivity, and environmental training to simulate combat zones.

Today, all United States military working dogs and their handlers are trained at the 341st Training Squadron at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Only 50% of dogs who enter the Military Working Dog Training Program graduate to become military working dogs.

A unique perspective: All about Dogs Dog Training

An Air Force base is a military facility used for training, housing, and supporting Air Force personnel and operations.

The Air Force has a number of bases around the world, each with its own unique mission and responsibilities.

At an Air Force base, military working dog handlers and their dogs undergo rigorous training to prepare for deployment.

The Military Working Dog Teams National Monument was established by Mr. John Burnam, a U.S. Army combat infantryman and German Shepherd Scout Dog Handler during the Vietnam War.

He spearheaded the development of the monument after his war dog partners died in Vietnam, and he wanted to keep their memories alive.

Mr. Burnam established the John Burnam Monument Foundation in 2008 to provide the foundation for the project.

Congressman Walter Jones supported the monument, and the National Defense Authorizations Act for 2008 was amended to authorize the Burnam Foundation to design, fund, build, and maintain the monument.

The monument couldn't be placed on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., so it was built at Joint Base San Antonio — Lackland (JBSA-Lackland).

JBSA-Lackland has been the recruiting and training facility for the U.S. Armed Services military working dog program since 1958.

The monument was constructed and unveiled on October 28, 2013, adjacent to the parade grounds.

The John Burnam Monument Foundation was deactivated in 2014, gifting the structure to JBSA-Lackland, and transferring maintenance of the Monument to the Airman Heritage Foundation (AHF).

Visiting the Monument is a great way to pay respects to the brave Military Working Dog Teams. Any DoD ID card holder can visit the monument during JBSA – Lackland’s normal operational hours and at the discretion of the base commander.

To get to the monument, take a right at the stop sign onto Kenly Ave after entering the installation. Parking is available on the lot south of the 37 Training Wing HQ Building.

If you're a US citizen without a DoD ID, you'll need to request a pass at the East Luke Visitor Center. This is located at 2602 Luke Blvd., JBSA- Lackland, TX, 78236.

The East Luke Visitor Control Center is the only place that can issue passes to the MWDT Monument, so be sure to head there first. For any questions, you can call 210-671-6174.

Once you have your pass, you'll be cleared to visit the monument, which is located on the southeast corner of the 37th Training Wing Parade field.

The 355th Wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona is home to a team of skilled military working dogs and their handlers. They're responsible for conducting missions and clearing routes in unexplored terrain.

These dogs are trained to search for specific smells and react accordingly, using techniques like sorting odors into boxes for young dogs to smell. Their handlers use this information to detect potential behavioral changes in the dog, indicating a vulnerability has been found.

Worth a look: Dog Handlers

MWD handlers like U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Ryan Duggan and U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Dillon Johnson are paired with their dogs for deployments, where they conduct route clearances, sweep exercises, and patrol work. They work together to ensure the safety of their squad and detect any potential threats.

The dogs are trained to pursue aggressors or "decoys" under the handler's command, and can even bite onto slippery objects with their full mouth. This showcases their impressive skills and capabilities in high-pressure situations.

During a recent demonstration, the MWD handlers shared their knowledge and experiences with the Canine Cognition Center, a veterinarian research group affiliated with the University of Arizona. This collaboration allowed both parties to learn from each other and gain a better understanding of how MWDs are trained and handled.