Explosive detection military working dogs

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Brian Jones
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Maintaining safety and security at a military installation takes a lot of teamwork. Although the 39th Security Forces Squadron uses some of the most advanced technology to defend the base, Incirlik's first line of defense is often a Military Working Dog team.
Each day, as vehicles enter Incirlik through the base's gates the Military Working Dog teams from the 39th SFS and 10th Tanker's Security Battalion strive to ensure none of these vehicles pose a threat to those who live and work here.

"We, along with our 10th Tanker mission partners, provide a secure environment by searching all vehicles entering the installation's contractor gate ensuring no unauthorized explosives or narcotics enter the base," said Tech. Sgt. Sharlene Daniels, 39th SFS Military Working Dog kennel master.

Before the teams "hit the streets" of Incirlik, they go through an intense training and certification process. Incirlik's 12 MWD handlers team with dogs trained to detect either explosives or narcotics. All of the military working dogs are also trained to perform patrol/apprehension duties.

"We procure dogs from Lackland and enhance their training and bring it to the next level once they arrive here," said Sergeant Daniels.

The process begins when a MWD handler is first teamed with a dog.

"We pair handlers and dogs according to their personalities and skill sets," said Sergeant Daniels. "The team then trains every day until the dog passes validation testing and the team is certified. The team goes through a very strenuous process before we put them on the road to protect the installation's personnel and resources."

The training doesn't stop once a team is certified.

"We train at least three times a week," said Staff Sgt. Jessica George, 39th SFS MWD trainer. "We place training aids in very challenging places -- and use AAR (After Action Reports) to place our training aids in realistic locations such as buried in the ground, in mattresses and up high in ceilings, so the dogs are able to detect odors at any depth or height."

Handlers must also pass a quality control assessment once a year on local procedures which outline exactly what they would do should a dog "alert."

"It's a constant system of checks and balances," said Sergeant Daniels.

The many hours of hard work by the military working dog teams not only provide a physical deterrent, but can also play on the minds of those who could potentially do harm to Incirlik.

"We're a psychological deterrent," said Staff Sgt. Justin Langley, 39th SFS Military Working Dog trainer. "We are always searching vehicles at the gate. (Potential terrorists) know we're always there and know how well our dogs are trained. It will deter them from trying to bring anything on base."

The training turns into action when the teams hit the streets of Incirlik. Should a dog alert or give a "final response" to its handler indicating the presence of an explosive, a chain of events is initialized to ensure the safety of base members.

The first thing that happens is US and Turkish security personnel work to establish a free zone around the location where the final response was given.

In the event of a potential explosive device, the 39th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal flight is the first to respond.

"Once EOD takes over, we provide all the information -- the what, where and when," said Sergeant Garcia. "We will also give them information on what areas are clear so they have safe passage."

When it comes to keeping the base clear of explosives, the 39th SFS and 10th Tanker MWD teams are the most effective and efficient means of keeping the base safe.

"I feel safe and secure living on base with my children," said Sergeant Daniels. "The dogs are better than any electronic detection equipment."

"If somebody is trying to get something on base, it's not going to get very far," added Sergeant Garcia.