Security forces K-9 a huge force multiplier at Lajes

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Olufemi Owolabi
  • 65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
LAJES FIELD, Azores --  There are two "Airmen" at Lajes. They both get the job done, for just a meager squeaky toy, called "Kong."

Just like any Airman, they train and work hard, but, as "Airman's best friends," they never talk back at their trainer and handler.

"Dan" and "Devil" are two military working dogs at Lajes assigned to the 65th Security Forces Squadron. Considered by their trainer as having a tool that increases mission capability, the two MWDs are a valued part of the security of Lajes Airmen.

To ensure these dogs, often referred to as K-9s, get up-to-par on their training and are proficient, they are assigned to Staff Sgts. Jerald Harris and Curtis Locke, handler and kennel master of the 65th SFS MWDs.

Sergeant Harris and Locke both agreed that working together with "Airman's best friends" is one of the best jobs in the Air Force.

"By the best job, we mean, 'where else can you find a job where you play with dogs all day for a living?'" Sergeant Harris said.

"If anyone thinks his or her job is better, we would like to invite (him/her) down to see what fun is really about," Sergeant Locke added. "Really, if someone is in uniform on base and walking down the road or down the hallway in a building, does anybody notice? Put a dog in the picture...(I) guarantee, you will get some heads to turn."

As a K-9 handler, Sergeant Harris maintains the dogs' proficiency standard, health needs and living conditions, and training and utilization records, while Sergeant Locke is in charge of the MWD section's administrative records, and he provides and supervises detection training scenarios.

"I train MWDs in accordance with our Optimal Training Requirements, established by the Kennel master, to include but not limited to obedience training, confidence course and detection training," said Sergeant Harris.

The training is conducted on a daily basis, for the Military Working Dogs, in order to maintain and advance their ability/reliability to perform.

"This training is necessary in order to instill obedience and advance the MWDs ability to detect substances and perform patrol functions when needed," said Sergeant Locke. "We need to be fully prepared and capable when called upon. To become proficient in the task that is needed to be performed solely depends on the MWD team's ability to work together."

Sergeant Locke went on to say that on average it can take MWDs anywhere from 30 to 90 calendar days for them to fully grasp a new task.

Devil and Dan, as part of the security detail at Lajes, are trained on performing various sweeps on aircraft, luggage, incoming vehicles, and performing random antiterrorism measures.

Despite praising all the capabilities of the dog, the trainer said the security of the base is partly every Airman's responsibility, and he has no doubt that Lajes Airmen are already performing an outstanding job.

"The fine men and women of Team Lajes are fully capable of maintaining a battle-ready security posture as they do on a daily basis," said Sergeant Locke. "Remember, each and every member of Team Lajes aids one way or another, regardless of duty position or place of work for the security of the mission."

"We all are the eyes and ears of the base and will undoubtedly stop any threat made toward the mission," he added.