Bertha, a military working dog, and her handler Senior Airman John Makripodis, 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Group, dog handler, are inspected by Staff Sgt. Timothy Bailey, 332nd ESFG MWD trainer, on the dog team’s explosive detection abilities July 31, 2010 Joint Base Balad, Iraq. Constant training ensures MWDs will stay alert and prepared for anything that is thrown at them. Staff Sgt. Bailey is a native of Brooklyn, NY and deployed from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.; Airman Makripodis is a native of Pittsburg, Penn., the dog team is deployed from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Marianne E. Lane)
Bertha, a 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Group military working dog, and her handler Senior Airman John Makripodis, search for explosives July 31, 2010, Joint Base Balad, Iraq. MWDs are trained to detect explosives and drugs. Airman Makripodis is a native of Pittsburg, Penn., the dog team is deployed from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Marianne E. Lane)
Senior Airman John Makripodis, 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Group military working dog handler releases Bertha, a MWD, on Staff Sgt. Kristopher Carroll, 332nd ESFG kennel master, while conducting patrol training July 31, 2010, Joint Base Balad, Iraq. Patrol training includes attacking, tackling, and biting if instructed to do so. Training is an important part of keeping MWDs certified so they can perform their duties. Sergeant Carroll is a native of Seekonk, Mass. and is deployed from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., Airman Makripodis is a native of Pittsburg, Penn., the dog team is deployed from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Marianne E. Lane))
Senior Airman John Makripodis, 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Group military working dog handler rewards his partner Bertha, with a game of tug of war after for finding an item of interest July 31, 2010 Joint Base Balad, Iraq. Receiving a reward is a way to produce positive behavior in a MWD for a certain action. Airman Makripodis is a native of Pittsburg, Penn., the dog team is deployed from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Marianne E. Lane)
by by Senior Airman Marianne E. Lane
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
8/6/2010 - 8/5/2010--JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Work is play for the four-legged warriors of the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Group.
The Military Working Dog section provides support to the 332 ESFG and the 532nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. MWDs are trained to detect explosives and drugs.
"As a dog team we search all incoming vehicles, convoys for any threats to the base and it's populous," said Senior Airman John Makripodis, 332 ESFG military working dog handler, a native of Pittsburg, Pa., deployed from Seymour-Johnson Air Force Base, N.C.
Besides base security MWDs are members of the security teams patrolling outside the base perimeter. They are assigned to scheduled patrols and quick reaction forces that have to be ready to respond at a moments notice.
Airman Makripodis knows how important his dog is to a squad, "Everyone on the squad relies on our dog's detection capabilities to protect them from any danger or threat that may occur on our mission outside the wire."
A key to the success of the mission with a MWD is the teamwork between a handler and his dog. This is why all dogs deploy with their handlers.
"Military Working Dogs and their handlers are considered a team. From their home bases to their forward location, they become partners and build a bond," said Staff Sgt. Timothy Bailey, 332nd ESFG MWD trainer deployed from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. "MWDs go through emotions just as humans do. If a handler is having a bad day or is not prepared, a MWD can pick up on that and will not work to the best of their ability. Staying motivated and animated is the key to an excellent Military Working Dog team."
Dogs just like Airmen have to acclimate to their new environment. This takes about two weeks- depending on the age and temperature of the dog. To assist in the transition is consistent training; training is conducted at least three times a week.
"It is vital to the mission here in Iraq to keep military working dogs at their best. Constant training ensures MWDs will stay alert and prepared for anything that is thrown at them. Whether it is finding a buried Improvised Explosive Device or subduing an aggressive suspect, these dogs are ready for the task," said Staff Sgt. Timothy Bailey, 332nd ESFG MWD trainer, a native of Brooklyn, NY.
MWDs accomplish training like any other Air Force member, a dog is only as good as their training and handler.
"I have no doubt in my mind, that when I send a dog team out on a task, they will find what they are looking for," said Staff Sergeant Kristopher Carroll, 332nd ESFG kennel master, a native of Seekonk, Mass., deployed from Travis Air Force Base, Calif.
