Nellis selected to host new joint military working dog training program

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Laura Balch
  • Nellis Public Affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev., --  Air Force leadership selected Nellis Air Force Base as the location of a new joint military working dog training program in late November.

The leadership made their decision after Nellis graduated its beta test class of 15 security forces dog handlers and their military working dogs Nov. 9.

This innovative military working dog program was built in less than 45 days and is designed to replace the dog training course offered in Yuma, Ariz. The program offered by the 99th Security Forces Group is designed to teach the basic skill sets to handlers so they can work with their dogs in any location inside or outside a combat zone.

"The idea behind the creation of this program was to locate the training where the Air Force can flexibly schedule courses in support of deployed operations and also get the handlers and dogs through their required training in as little time as possible," said Col. Kit Lambert, the 99th SFG commander. "Before, handlers and dogs were spending up to 80 days and traveling to multiple locations in order to receive their training. With this new program, they can accomplish their requirements in one location in minimum time."

In addition to centralizing the training requirements for the dogs and their handlers, another goal of this new program is to unify the terminology used by the handlers. In the past, diverse units and services communicated differently, which presented problems when performing joint tasks. Unifying the terminology is one way the handlers and dogs will be able to work together more proficiently.

"Using similar commands and signals ensures that all our handlers and dogs understand each other," said Chief Master Sgt. Eldon Dewitt, Security Forces manager of the Ground Combat Training Squadron. "If something were to happen to one of our handlers, another could step in and communicate with the dog and carry on the mission."

The training for the beta test class was held on a section of the Nevada Test and Training Range that is regularly utilized by the Ground Combat Training Squadron. The GCTS provides advanced ground combat weapons and tactics training for all Air Combat Command security forces and combat support elements at Creech Air Force Base.

Nellis was selected as the location for this test for a number of reasons. One main reason was the available location. The 4,900 acre portion of the NTTR dedicated to military working dog training includes a tent city, a village, mock terrorist training camps, ravines, valleys, pastures, active improvised explosive device lanes, roads and overpasses, all of which serve as training tools the handlers can use to master working with their dogs in a variety of settings and landscapes.

Inside the village on this portion of the NTTR are a variety of buildings and rooms which the dogs and handlers practice entering and clearing while searching for drugs, bombs, improvised explosive devices, homemade explosives and other dangerous materials.

"Everything from the trash piles outside the buildings, which may indicate an IED or serve as a distraction from one, to the pictures on the walls in the rooms, which may reveal the political atmosphere of the village, are indicators that the handlers must learn to identify as quickly as possible," said Maj. Scott Rider, the 99th GCTS commander.

"In the real world, our guys have a matter of seconds to discern whether they need to stop and inspect something, like a pile of trash, or try and get around it," the major said.

Nellis also has a number of mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles and multipurpose all-terrain vehicles which the handlers and dogs can use to train. MRAPs and MATVs are the main vehicles used in hostile areas, and practicing in them allows handlers to become familiar with the operation of the vehicles and allows the dogs to get used to traveling in small spaces surrounded by humans. Additionally, shooting exercises outside the vehicles, with the dogs inside, allow the dogs to adjust to the sound of gunfire.

The training offered in the MWD program is updated as quickly as possible as new advancements enable changes to occur. One example of the training handlers go through is the Combat Life Saver course. This teaches the handlers to how perform medical procedures on their dogs, including inserting Intravenous devices and performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

"Each handler realizes that their dog is their best, best friend," Major Rider said. "When they find out what that dog can do, they do anything to protect it."

The final portion of the training is the integrated defense phase. During this segment, the handlers and dogs learn how to work with a team, how to mount and dismount from vehicles, and to master the timing of their movements. The handlers wear their kits, which weigh 70 to 80 pounds, in order to understand what maneuvering in full gear in the desert with their dog feels like.

"The handlers need to get themselves conditioned here so that when they get over to Afghanistan, they're going to be stronger, faster, and better able to handle the situations presented to them," said Master Sgt. Andrew Rodriguez, 902nd Security Forces Squadron, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.

On any given day during this portion of the training, the handlers and dogs will go through 10 to 15 practice runs, taking turns operating with their dogs. In one run, a handler will travel with his or her dog and a team of other Airmen, and they will clear rooms and buildings while checking for hazardous items. Gradually, the instructors will introduce smoke, gunfire and human enemies. This method allows the dogs to become accustomed to the dangers that may occur in theater and it teaches the handlers how to use their dogs while also fighting the enemy.

Now that the test group has completed the MWD program, the handlers and their dogs will be sent all over the world, but most will go to Afghanistan. The handlers and dogs will be linked up to various units, such as Security Forces teams and Army units, and handlers will be responsible for articulating their dog's abilities to the team or squadron leader.

"The handlers and military working dogs perform an invaluable service and it is our hope that this new training program will provide the best avenue for these Security Forces members to learn, train and perform their job," Chief Dewitt said.

Beginning in 2011, Nellis is scheduled to host a full load of nine classes per year with 20 military working dog teams each.