Military working dog handlers come together for joint competition

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Scott Saldukas
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas (AFNS) --  The 2012 Department of Defense Military Working Dog K-9 Trials kicked off here May 4 and will continue through May 6.

The competition allows 43 teams from the Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps to demonstrate their handling skills with their canine partners.

The competition was designed to showcase each branch of service's best military working dog teams from around the globe.

"First we started with a three-day seminar, which was an amazing opportunity for the entire MWD community to get together and discuss techniques and come up with innovative ideas to provide better training for our dog teams as they continue to go out there, whether it is in garrison or in deployed locations, to get the job done," said Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Antonio Rodriguez, the Air Education and Training Command military working dog program manager.

The three-day event will incorporate multiple competitions testing each team's strength, endurance and control of a situation.

The first day of competition saw teams complete obstacles and scenarios they're likely to come across at their home stations.

"Today was great and was such a positive experience for me and my dog," said Army Sgt. David Varkett, a dog handler from the 51st Military Police Detachment at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. "This is important for us and is good for the different services to come together and share ideas to improve and sharpen our skills in events like these."

Over the next two days teams will compete in deployment-type scenarios and an iron dog competition designed to push competitors to the max.

"The next two days will bring in more walking, which will add a heat and endurance element while still trying to find explosives or personnel similar to what you will face down range," said Air Force Capt. Joseph Schneider, the 37th Training Group operations officer.

While the event is designed for teams to have fun and compete, the main goal is to provide total force training that will create better military working dog teams in times when they're needed most.

"I have a lot invested in this program and it's very important for me," Rodriguez said. "Any training or collaboration we can do, from partnering with civilians or different services, to keep our guys alive, I am invested in 100 percent. What I have seen today has been great and has allowed the teams to see their deficiencies and now (they) can go back and hone their skills."