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K-9s conquer water

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Melanie Bulow-Kelly
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  "Halt! Halt! Halt! Or I will release my dog," was the common phrase heard throughout the 5-hour controlled aggression water training for military and police dogs Oct. 16, 2013.
 
Tampa, Largo, Clearwater, Hernando, and Pinellas County police department K-9 units joined forces with the 6th Security Forces Squadron military working dogs to safely introduce controlled aggression in water at a local water park in Tampa, Fla.

A total of 31 dynamic duos, five of which were MWD, ran through three various exercises involving the dogs jumping into deep bodies of water and swimming to apprehend decoy suspects.

Water training is not part of the standardized training MWDs receive; however, being that MacDill Air Force Base is surrounded by water it's beneficial for the K-9 here to have this training. MacDill AFBs geographical location is unique. The base's 7.2 miles of coastline makes its physical security unlike most Air Force bases.

"Training the dogs to perform these tasks in water helps to enhance our security on MacDill by conditioning service dogs to pursue and/or find a person or suspect in water," stated Staff Sgt. Shannon Hutto, 6th SFS MWD trainer supervisor.

Prior to beginning the scenarios, the handlers gave their four-legged partners a chance to become acclimated to the water to ensure highest performance.

The training offered an opportunity to gage the dog's reactions as well as learn from police department K-9 units in the community.

This was the first time the majority of these dogs had been exposed to water scenarios. A few took to the water without an issue, where as some were more timid. However, by the end of the day the dog's confidence was sky-high.

"The training was very successful and the dogs exceeded our expectations," said Staff Sgt. Juan Hinojosia, 6th SFS MWD handler. "It was a great experience and I look forward to continuing this type of training more often."