Features

Building a K-9: Drug detection, building search training

Story and photos by Airman 1st Class Taylor D. Slater
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
May 7, 2020
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Matthew Baxter, 86th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, praises Little B, 86th SFS MWD, after detection training at Ramstein High School, Ramstein Air Base, April 24. Detection training is important for detecting explosives brought in by harmful parties or illegal narcotics.
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Matthew Baxter, 86th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, praises Little B, 86th SFS MWD, during detection training at Ramstein High School, Ramstein Air Base, April 24. Rewards give positive reinforcement to MWDs and encourage them to perform the same maneuvers the next time they practice.
Little B, 86th Security Forces Squadron military working dog, sits in front of a locker during detection training at Ramstein High School, Ramstein Air Base, April 24.
Borax, 86th Security Forces Squadron military working dog, finds U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Julian Jackson, 86th SFS MWD handler, under a stage during building search training at Ramstein High School, Ramstein Air Base, April 24. In the event, criminals hide inside buildings, MWDs are trained to find and subdue them for authorities.
Little B, 86th Security Forces Squadron military working dog, plays with U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Matthew Baxter, 86th SFS MWD handler, at Ramstein High School, Ramstein Air Base, April 24. Training was conducted at the school because of low foot-traffic and lockers hosting many competing scents.
A U.S. Air Force Airman holds a beanbag at Ramstein High School, Ramstein Air Base, April 24. Military working dog handlers use materials coated with specific scents such as narcotics or explosives to simulate a real-life scenario where MWDs must help keep dangerous materials off base.
Little B, 86th Security Forces Squadron military working dog, sniffs lockers during detection training at Ramstein High School, Ramstein Air Base, April 24. The MWDs practice detection under multiple different scenarios, such as finding specific scents in areas where the smell may be masked by other scents.
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joseph Josey, 86th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler (left), discusses MWD training strategies with Staff Sgts. Julian Jackson (center-right) and Matthew Baxter, 86th SFS MWD handlers, at Ramstein High School, Ramstein Air Base, April 24. It is beneficial for multiple handlers to observe a MWD’s training and discuss how to train them further because every handler has a different strategy.
Little B, 86th Security Forces Squadron military working dog, chews on a toy at Ramstein High School, Ramstein Air Base, April 24. Little B is a 2-year-old German Shepherd new to the 86th SFS.
Borax, 86th Security Forces Squadron military working dog, chomps on bite equipment worn by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joseph Josey, 86th SFS MWD handler, at Ramstein High School, Ramstein Air Base, April 24. Bite equipment trains MWDs for real-life scenarios where they subdue criminals and protects MWD handlers from harm.
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