Kadena's K-9 warriors go airborne

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Christopher Marasky
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan (AFPN) --  The ability to cope with anxiety and stress is an important skill for today's expeditionary Airmen as they face more frequent deployments in combat conditions.

Recently, Airmen from the 18th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, the 33rd Rescue Squadron and 18th Security Forces Squadron teamed up to help their lesser-known members prepare for stressful conditions -- the military working dogs. 

"We were talking with the K-9 teams, and they mentioned that some of the dogs were having some anxiety problems while flying in helicopters," said Capt. Alejandro Ramos, officer in charge of the 18th Aerospace Medicine Squadron's Human Performance Training Team. "So we said, 'Hey, Kadena's got helo's; let's see if we can get them some flights.'"

After gaining proper clearance through the wing, members of the HPTT coordinated with 18th SFS and the 33rd RQS to arrange familiarization flights for dogs that will soon deploy down range.

The first dog to receive the training flew with the 33rd RQS July 14 on a regularly-scheduled sortie. His handler and a spotter were also on board to train with the dog and study its responses to the flight.

"[This training] It's very important; that way when we go in, we won't be surprised at how our dog is going to react," said Staff Sgt. Sarah Merklinger, an 18th SFS dog handler. "With this, we'll be prepared for how he reacts and know what to do."

Experience in helicopters helps settle the dogs down, said Tech. Sgt. Jason Dearinger, an 18th SFS dog handler who recently returned from a deployment to Iraq.
While assigned to the 1st Calvary Division, Sergeant Dearinger and his dog Bojar were assigned to detect explosives and were regularly called to take helicopter flights as part of their mission.

"Bojar did very well with all the flying in Iraq," Sergeant Dearinger said. "He was a little anxious the first time we boarded a Helo, but he quickly got over it and by the time we left, he was a pro."

The training here at Kadena will allow the dogs to become comfortable before being forced into a combat situation, and it's training that members of the 33rd RQS are happy to assist with.

"I think it's important because more and more of these dogs are being utilized down range," said Capt. Marcus Maris, a pilot with the 33rd RQS. "They're finding themselves in situations where they're on helo's a bit more than expected.

"We're happy to do anything we can here within our means to help them better accomplish their mission," he said.

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