Mission Spotlight: Real life Shaggy and Scooby-Doo

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Matthew Lotz
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  "I get to come to work every day and hang out with my best friend," said Staff Sgt. Rodreques Boyd of the 80-pound German Sheppard he works beside.

Comparing the K-9 to the likes and size of "Scooby-Doo," Boyd and his partner, Nado, are a part of the 31st Security Forces Squadron military working dog team, charged with providing vital support to ensuring the security of the base.

The mission for any Security Forces specialist is to protect the people, property and resources of the U.S. Air Force. All Airmen, including those with four legs and a tail, must be able to protect against hostile forces, conduct investigations and apprehend and detain suspects.

"Our main objective as a military working dog team is to detect any kind of explosives, uncover enemy positions and find any hidden narcotics," explained Boyd. "We are training as a team every day to stay proficient in case we deploy."

According to Boyd, training overseas has a bigger challenge for MWD teams as opposed to teams working in the states.

"The first thing we must learn is our host language and how to say our warning order," said Boyd. "During a building search, we have to yell in English and Italian, 'This is Staff Sgt. Boyd with a military working dog. You have 30 seconds to come out.'"

Long before handlers begin memorizing warning orders in the host nation's language, they must first start at the 37th Training Wing at the Department of Defense Military Working Dog School, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas; where they spend three and half months learning all about the dogs.

"This intense training teaches us everything about the dog; from the psychology of the dog to proper grooming techniques," said Boyd. "We also take classes teaches us self-aid buddy care for the dog in case they get hurt or bit by an insect."

The dog's training begins with the foundational basics. The commands are composed of sit, stay and basic aggressions.

"The dog's first base is where the handler refines their skills on how to detect and track, ensure they stay proficient at the obedience course and teach them how to avoid distractions like other animals," said Boyd. "There are so many things these dogs are capable of, but it's the handler's responsibility to provide them all the knowledge."

Once the duo has met training requirements and seems to be a good fit, they are able to perform daily tasks to include patrolling the base, performing traffic stops and other duties security forces members are responsible for.

According to Boyd, although being a MWD handler is the best job ever, while performing some of the daily SFS tasks, it can still be stressful.

"While I'm walking through the BX during a patrol, I'm thinking about 100 different things: while expecting kids to come up and pet my dog," said Boyd. "I don't ever want to be the bad guy and tell a kid no, but some dogs won't react the way you think they should and someone can get hurt. Everyone should know if a handler says please don't touch my dog, they are not doing it to be mean, but doing it for your safety."

Boyd considers these occurrences in public places to be training for the dogs when they go downrange.

"There will be instances where we have to jump in an (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle) and we will be in closed proximately to other troops. I need to know that my dog is at least tolerant of the situation and will be OK," explained Boyd.

While deployed, the duo is attached to units and responsible for tasks such as clearing roads.

"Downrange we are a force multiplier," said Boyd. "When clearing a building or road, my dog and I can clear it more quickly and efficiently. Instead of sending a full team to do the same job, putting them in harm's way, only two Airmen are sent."

Additionally, MWD assist in situations where people may struggle and offer handlers an advantage.

"There are times when a suspect will go into a dark crawlspace and instead of you going in blind, your dog can go in and get him," Boyd continued. "Most of the time, the dog barking is enough to scare the perpetrator to come out."

After serving nine MWD taskings and six years of building friendships with eight different dogs, Boyd says he has the best job in the Air Force because of one reason.

"I need to be able to see my success every day and by me instilling my knowledge into my dog, there isn't a greater feeling," explained Boyd. "I can be in front of a large group of people, give my dog a command and have that perpetrator comply just by the dog's actions. I am always teaching Nado things just like he is teaching me."