Military's Best Friend

Article from the Grand Forks Herald

Military's Best Friend

By Jen Braaten, Northern Sentinel Staff Writer
Published Friday, August 17, 2007

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. - Being deployed overseas to fight the War on Terror gives purpose to the hours of training as there becomes a mission to expedite - even for furry, four-legged dogs.

This week Staff Sgt. Christopher Bradford and his explosive control dog, Fendy, will deploy in support of the Iraq war. Fendy, a Belgium Malinois, carefully listens with perked ears to the assertive, yet reserved voice commands of Bradford.

Trained to identify explosive devices, Fendy will conduct gate and convoy sweeps, said Bradford. Once an explosive is found, the dog will sit awaiting the notice of the handler. The method in which explosive control dogs find their target remains undisclosed.

Military dogs are extremely useful and an invaluable tool, said Jeff Cariveau, Grand Forks Air Force Base kennel master.

“Other mechanical devices are used to search for explosives, but are not near as effective,” Cariveau said.

Cariveau continues to explain the difficulty of working dogs in the desert, battling 130 degree August temperatures. The dogs are equipped with booties, keeping bare paws from burning. Also, air-conditioned vehicles and kennels help keep the dogs from overheating. As Bradford and Fendy arrive in the Middle East to work with an Army unit, they will have an opportunity to execute the drills they've practiced for the past three years. Integration of veterinarians, handlers and dogs among differing military branches is common because of the combined training effort encompassing the working dogs.
Like most military working dogs, Fendy's trained to attack, too.

“The dogs are trained to attack on command, and command only; unless a handler is being harmed,” Cariveau said. Fendy is one of eight total military working dogs at Grand Forks Air Force Base; seven are trained to recognize explosives and one for narcotics. Each dog is paired with a handler and, unless deployed, the dogs will remain at the base, even if the handler is relocated. Within the 319th Security Force's squadron's Military Working Dog unit are eight handlers, a trainer and a kennel master.

Members of security forces can volunteer to be dog handlers and attend a school that will prepare them to train their dog.

Initial military dog training is conducted at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, regardless of the service branch to which the dog and handler belong.
“Two new members are waiting for training,” Cariveau said.

Once the new members are trained and paired with a dog, the total number of pairs at Grand Forks Air Force Base will be 10.

The most common breeds are German Shepherds and Belgium Malinois because of the dogs' ability to be trained and for attacking.

Avar, a 9-year-old German Shepherd and handler, Staff Sgt. David Helmbrecht soon will be deployed to Southwest Asia. Another pair soon to leave is Staff Sgt. Mark Ochoa and Borek, a 3-year-old mixed-breed dog.“We have a minimum of one (pair) deployed at any time,” Cariveau said. “Since 9/11, the need for (trained) dogs has increased.”

Although other animals and pets are on base, the military working dogs account for the most activity at the 319th Air Refueling Wing Veterinary clinic.
Dr. Jaspreet Gill and Army Specialist Heather Aguas conduct six-month checkups on the military dogs and are constantly available to service the needs of the dogs.

Currently, the clinic is unable to do surgery, but plans to have that option in 2008. Otherwise, Gill and Aguas, a veterinarian technician, examine and treat pets (including horses at the base stable), issue health certificates, conduct monthly inspections, administer vaccinations and do lab work.

As the military dogs become older, they are checked for typical issues within their breed. Common with German shepherds is arthritis and hip dysplasia, Aguas said. Once a dog is unable to physically perform the necessary commands, it is retired from service and becomes available for adoption.

“Most of the dogs are adopted by the handlers,” Cariveau said.