Brave Defenders’ dogs get a new facility

  • Published
  • By Lois Walsh
  • 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Training for military working dog handlers took a leap forward Nov. 3 with the dedication of a new kennel here. 

The kennel belongs to the Ground Combat Training Squadron, a pre-deployment training course that opened here in 2002. The course, known as Brave Defender, was originally established by Air Force Materiel Command to satisfy security forces training requirements in an expeditionary environment. 

According to Capt. Ben Jacobson, GCTS commander, AFMC previously used an Air Combat Command regional training center at Creech AFB, Nev., to train military working dogs and their handlers. It took 13 months to fund and procure two instructor slots for the kennel which cost $250,000 to build and equip. The initial operating capability is for six dogs with the potential for 10 by the next class in December. 

"We're starting with six as a test bed to make sure the facility functions effectively and is programmed correctly for the course," Captain Jacobson said. "This is a great capability to train in house." 

Captain Jacobson recognized instructors Master Sgt. Todd Coning and Staff Sgt. Jacob Kelecava, along with the 96th Civil Engineer Group, for making the kennels a reality. He said the level training they will provide "is adequate to meet never changing enemy tactics, techniques and procedures." The MWD handler specialty code requires five more tasks than the 21 core tasks required for security forces. 

96th Air Base Wing vice-commander, Col. Rick LoCastro, recognized the important work that security forces does each day and he wondered "how much better the mission is going to be now you have a beautiful facility." He also recognized the important work of the instructors. 

"There's nothing more operational than teaching students to go downrange with the proper training, mentorship and leadership," Colonel LoCastro said. "That's an important operational mission, and (the students) do that with the training you provide. Hopefully we can put this facility out of business when we bring everyone home at some point; but right now, it's needed more than ever."