Military working dogs defend 386th Air Expeditionary Wing

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stefanie Torres
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPS) --  These canines are truly an Airman's best friend, especially when it comes to saving lives.

The military working dog section of the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron has the unique mission of safeguarding the base here with highly motivated K-9 partners. The dogs' powerful sense of smell is useful to Airmen conducting foot patrols, vehicle inspections and other anti-terrorism tasks, while their sense of loyalty provides protection to their human counterparts.

To their handlers, they're more than daily companions. They're also working partners and important force multipliers.

"I trust my dog, and I trust my life with him," Staff Sgt. Lino Estacion said of Gabe, his 12 year-old Belgian Malinois, a breed that closely resembles the German Shepherd. "We have been together quite a bit, and we have completed a lot of missions."

MWDs initially are trained at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, when they are between the ages of 12 and 36 months. After that, they're sent to operational units throughout the Department of Defense to start work.

These highly driven dogs are used in patrol, drug and explosive detection, and other specialized mission functions, according to the Air Force's MWD website.

Although this is Sergeant Estacion's fourth overseas deployment, the tour marks his first rotation at the 386th ESFS with Gabe. Because of a recent permanent change of station to Travis Air Force Base, Calif., Sergeant Estacion had just three months to work with Gabe before his deployment.

"I had to build a rapport with him pretty quickly," he said. "We need to be a team and trust each other because of the different types of people, encounters and unfamiliar areas we come across out here."

Gabe has been through extensive training and years of work, but still has qualities that are all his own, Sergeant Estacion said. He refers to Gabe as "Chief" because of his personality and experience.

"He is the wise one and always the oldest dog out of every other dog we have run across," Sergeant Estacion said. "When he is with the other dogs, he is in charge."

The weather here can be imposing for MWDs, with temperatures regularly exceeding 100 degrees, so it's important for handlers to develop an understanding of what each dog can handle out in the field, said Tech. Sgt. Nathan Nash, the squadron's kennel master.

"Constantly being in the sand and heat is a challenge," Sergeant Nash said. "It takes a good couple of weeks to get acclimatized, but that is where it is important to know your dog and know what they can handle. You take care of them, and they will take care of you."

Although handlers are constantly training their dogs, whether on patrols or running the obstacle course, the dogs make the job worthwhile, Sergeant Nash said.

"I think, like (most people who do this will tell you), the best part is actually working with the dog," he said. "For me, if you love dogs, that's what you should be doing."

The fact that he gets to work with dogs while also serving as a security forces Airman makes it that much more enjoyable, he added.

"We are security forces," said Sergeant Nash. "We are here to fight the fight."