An Airman's best friend

  • Published
  • By Amn Michaela R. Slanchik
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  You may be able to taste a teaspoon of sugar in your morning coffee, but your family pup can smell this same teaspoon of sugar submerged in up to one million gallons of water.

A military working dog (MWD) has 200 million scent-retrieving cells in its nose – 40 times more than a human’s – enhancing their ability to detect illegal drugs ranging from marijuana to extremes like cocaine.

Along with their superior sense of hearing, visual motion detection and crushing jaw strength of 238 pounds of pressure, they are a true force to be reckoned with.

There are qualities in dogs which humans simply aren’t capable of, and that’s why the Air Force adopts K-9s and recruits them to be a part of our team.

Currently, more than 2,700 dogs serve in the U.S. armed forces, with hundreds of these specialized MWD and trainer teams deploying overseas and throughout the U.S.

Just like our Airmen, our K-9s go through a lengthy selection process. Their eagerness to learn, playfulness, lack of separation anxiety and not having a fear of noise all help their chances at becoming a part of the world’s greatest Air Force.

Once a K-9 is selected to become a MWD, they are familiarized with military equipment such as aircraft, vehicles and being in the presence of weapon firing. It doesn’t end there: they train day in and day out practicing commands and drug detection.

Once fully qualified, the MWD and their trainer are ready to support any mission that comes their way, from clearing buildings to sniffing explosives for the safety of all our personnel.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joshua Montgomery, a MWD handler with the 509th Security Forces Squadron, and his side-kick, MWD Gipsy have been partners for over a year now. They have traveled the country ensuring the safety of Americans when called upon.

The duo recently returned from a trip working with the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) involving the security of the vice president.

However, this wasn't their first USSS support mission. In December 2016, Montgomery and Gipsy traveled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to support a visit from President-Elect Donald Trump.

“I believe our MWD teams are an integral part in the success of any Department of Defense or Air Force mission,” said Montgomery. “We're able to detect explosives and narcotics, deter crime and violence and locate individuals in a variety of different situations. Whether it's overseas or here at home, there's always a dog team on duty to keep our people safe as they carry out the mission.”

Although MWDs like Gipsy are smart, energetic and protective, they still need training to become the most disciplined and effective versions of themselves for any mission at hand.

“When these taskings come down, more often than not they're at the last minute – so we always have to be ready,” said Montgomery. “All of our dog teams consistently train to ensure that we're 110 percent ready to go anytime we might be tasked.”

But, just like humans, there are always things to learn.

“As a dog handler, every day on the job is a learning experience in some way,” said Montgomery. “I've been working with Gipsy for about a year now, and I'm still learning new stuff about him. He performed exceptionally well with everything that was thrown at us and the entire event ran smoothly.”

When the work was done for the day, the team enjoyed the personal perks of going on a trip together.

“At home station, our dogs don't come home with us at the end of our shift,” said Montgomery. “Instead, they stay in the kennels. When we go on these missions though, our dogs go everywhere we go.”
To the handler, these dogs are the world. To the world, these dogs are heroes.
“Having the opportunity to be a part of any interagency operation is so rewarding,” said Montgomery. “Working with the Secret Service, Cleveland Police and being able to be a part of all the behind-the-scenes action that happens for these presidential events is pretty awesome.
“Being able to network with Secret Service agents, police officers, Explosive Ordinance Disposal techs and other DOD handlers is a huge incentive on these missions,” added Montgomery.

Fit for duty with any agency in any situation, the MWD has made an impact on much more than just the Air Force.

MWDs have ensured the safety of Americans time and time again. When a hand-selected team of trainer and his MWD take a mission head-on, together, they are always one step ahead of the enemy.