Dogs, handlers receive real-world training

  • Published
  • By Michelle Owen
  • Army Flier staff writer
FORT RUCKER, Ala. --  Eight Air Force Military Working Dog handlers and three K-9s received real-world training at Fort Rucker's Knox Army Heliport Sept. 12, to help prepare them for an upcoming deployment. 

In combat environments, Air Force MWD handlers are often attached to Army units, which mean flying in Army helicopters, according to Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Kelecava, ground combat training instructor. The training allowed handlers and their dogs from Eglin and Hurlburt Field, Fla., to acclimate to helicopter travel during a flight in a CH-47 Chinook to a remote training site. Upon landing, the dogs were required to perform a detection exercise to see how they handled the stress of the flight. 

"How the dog reacts depends on the animals' demeanor, just like people," Air Force Master Sgt. Todd Coning, NCOIC, said. "This training will give the handlers a head's up on how their dogs are going to react after a flight and whether they'll be able to perform afterward." 

Flying is a core task that MWD student-handlers with the Air Force's 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron "Brave Defenders" must complete, Sergeant Kelecava said. He and Sergeant Coning are trainers with GCTS. Before taking students on an upcoming training flight in October, they were joined by handlers from Eglin and Hurlburt Field who are preparing to deploy to combat. 

Capt. Dan Henzie, B Company, 1st Battalion, 223rd Aviation Regiment commander, said the training was a great way to help out the Army's sister service. 

"We're focused on training and so is the (96th Ground Combat Training Squadron), so it just makes sense to train together," he said. 

Sergeant Coning said he was impressed with the support he and Sergeant Kelecava received from Fort Rucker. 

"They bent over backwards to help us train our handlers," Sergeant Coning said. "This training is a huge part of what they'll be doing downrange. I hope we can start bringing our handlers here on a regular basis so they'll be better prepared for deployment." 

One of the handlers, Staff Sgt. Carlos Sanchez and his 6-year-old MWD, Rony, are preparing for their first deployment together and Friday's helicopter flight was a first for both. 

"I hope this flight (shows me) how my dog is going to react after a flight and see if he'll work after the flight," he said before the flight. 

Sergeant Kelecava said the training event was great. 

"It was awesome. The dogs did really well and there were actually no problems," he said. "They performed exactly the way we wanted them to and successfully completed their training problem. Not one thing could have been better."