Military working dog sniffs out suspicious vehicle in Florida Published July 13, 2004 By Sue Walden 45th Space Wing Public Affairs PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) -- A four-legged 45th Security Forces member did his job correctly but caused quite a stir here July 8.While doing his daily sniffing around inbound trucks at the truck inspection area at the base’s south gate, Pancho, a 7-year-old military working dog, alerted his handler to a suspicious vehicle. Immediately after the alert, experts from the 45th Space Wing's explosive ordnance disposal team, fire department and security forces responded to the scene. For security purposes, the gate was closed and a portion of the nearby road and causeway closed for about an hour and 15 minutes. After a thorough and extensive search of the truck and its flatbed trailer, no explosive devices were detected. But Pancho was correct -- he smelled residual black powder from the truck. According to the vehicle's driver, the truck had recently carried fireworks. "Pancho is smart and has a high drive to please his handler," said Staff Sgt. Brian Disorbo, who has spent the last three years training the Belgian malinois. "I never have any doubt about accomplishing the mission when working with Pancho." Capt. Cheryl Morgan, a 45th SFS operations officer, said security forces will always err on the side of caution when a military working dog alerts handlers. "We realize that closing certain roads can be an inconvenience to drivers in the area, but it is done with everyone's safety and security in mind, including the civilians in the community," she said. (Capt. Susan A. Romano contributed to this article.)