K-9 unit sniffs out trouble, bites down on crime

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Dillon White
  • 341st Space Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Airmen are not the only ones in the Air Force who fly, fight and win. The words "NO WHINERS" and a large paw print the size of an out-stretched BDU top is painted in black on the cement floor in the hallway at the 341st Security Forces Squadron K-9 kennel office. 

Large glossy pictures of dogs and awards, including one in the form of a chrome dog bowl hang in the office; a testament to the important role they play. 

The office is also filled with the sound of dogs barking from the kennel. The barks seem to carry with them the energy that the dog-handler teams have for their jobs. 

"I love it," said Senior Airman Bryan Tarantella, 341st SFS military working-dog handler. "I wouldn't train out of it for anything." 

So far this year, dog handler teams from Malmstrom responded to eight bomb threats throughout the state of Montana, supported five different presidential and vice-presidential visits throughout the country, performed five separate drug sweeps and 13 demonstrations for the local community. 

"Secret Service missions are the most fun," Airman Tarantella said. "It's a rush to go [on these types of missions]." 

Dog handlers who work with explosives-detection dogs on Secret Service missions are placed on a rotating on-call list. Notice can be anywhere from hours to months in advance. 

"I have a bag at home full of khaki pants and polo shirts," said Staff Sgt. Josh Lewis, 341st SFS military working-dog handler. "When I get a call, I'm ready to go." 

Upon arrival at the location, the detection teams are briefed on the day's itinerary. The following morning, they go to work inspecting vehicles, clearing buildings and searching any area or vehicle the president, vice president or distinguished visitor will be near.
The Malmstrom K-9 unit also responds to bomb threats throughout Montana. 

It is not uncommon for working-dog handlers and their dogs to spend a lot of time away from home during the year. 

"They do a lot more work than most people know about," said Tech. Sgt. Todd Smith, 341st SFS, military working dog NCOIC. "They give up a lot of off-duty time for training and will often be gone for nine months per year on pre-deployments, deployments, temporary duty assignments and Secret Service missions." 

"During election month in 2004, I didn't have any time off the entire month," Staff Sergeant Lewis said. "I was working on base, training and working with the Secret Service the whole time." 

When the teams are not on deployments, they patrol Malmstrom and support the Office of Special Investigation and the Border Patrol in detecting narcotics. 

The teams search common areas on base, and incoming vehicles for drugs and explosives. 

"We'll check areas in the weapons storage area for tunneling and digging as well as checking for intruders in the area," Airman Tarantella said. 

Rapport and obedience are the two key elements handlers and their dogs must have to be a successful team. In order for the dog to obey, it must have a rapport with its handler. Building a rapport with a new dog can take as long as a month to achieve. 

"Every dog has a personality just like a person, so the handler has to be matched with the dog," Sergeant Lewis said. "If they don't get along, then the handler will have to try and change to establish a rapport with the dog." 

Airman Tarantella and Sergeant Lewis both appear to have a seemingly effortless connection with their dogs. 

"I spend more time with my dog than I do with my family members," Airman Tarantella said. "My dog Brenda is with me everywhere I go." 

Sergeant Lewis explained a bomb detection sweep he and his 10-year-old German Shepherd, Dick, participated in. 

"The building we were searching was so large that I had him stop occasionally. We would play with his tennis ball to keep his confidence up and let him know he was doing a good job," Sergeant Lewis said. "If he searches a lot of rooms and starts getting tired or hot, he pants, then he can't smell as well because he isn't breathing through his nose." 

The veteran, four-legged security forces member will retire soon and Sergeant Lewis will get a new partner. "As much as I am training him, he is training me, too," Sergeant Lewis said. "He's been doing this job longer than I have and it will be a challenge when I get my new dog."