A formidable team: Airman, K-9

  • Published
  • By Ilka Cole
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The unassuming, 25-year-old military working dog handler stands on watchful alert with leash in hand.  He and his partner, a Belgian Malinois, move in tandem to action after receiving the "clear" sign to proceed with the sweep.
 
They systematically search each corner of all the rooms until the training device is detected.

"Good job, Bubs," the handler says in a high-pitched tone to let his dog, Arko, know their mission is accomplished.

The K-9 responds to his partner's voice and back rub by spinning around in excitement.

Staff Sgt. Matthew Helma, of the 96th Security Forces Squadron here, replays this scene with Arko, often in training and sometimes real world.

The sergeant and his K-9 share a powerful bond that makes them an effective MWD team.

The drive behind this team's bond didn't just begin with countless hours of training, where handlers affectionately refer to their MWD's as their "kids".  For Helma, it began in Wyoming in 2009.

The Airman never gave much thought to being a MWD handler until he had an "aha moment" while standing in the armory line at Frances E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, he said.

"I watched a handler prepare to arm up with his dog and I realized being a dog handler would be an amazing career pursuit," said Helma, who loves animals.

The Illinois native said he was always intrigued by the ferocity and drama of tracking the bad guys.

"I was drawn to the action you see in the movies," said Helma.  "Today's MWD teams are tasked out and deployed around the world, They are attached to Army, Marine or Navy units because of the special skill sets they add to the mission."

According to the NCO, he is comfortable being out front, leading the way and making split second decisions. MWD teams are known as the "guardians of the night" and their motto is "K-9 leads the way!"

Helma was paired with Arko a year and a half ago and were subsequently deployed in February 2014.  During the surveillance of base entry points and perimeter patrols the MWD team relied on each other 100 percent.  The mutual bond and trust between the pair also carried into the team's down time. 

"I took Arko to the base swimming pool.  That was the first time we went swimming," he said.  "At first, Arko didn't want to get in the pool, but I coaxed him until he jumped in and swam to me."

This balance between work and "fun" time is something Helma's instructor recognized as a reason the handler and his dog are a great team.

"His ability to communicate with Arko helped Helma grow a great deal," said Staff Sgt. Jeremy Rice, a trainer at Eglin's MWD kennel.  "When he first got here in 2012, he only knew the basics. He's progressed to become a solid, strong handler."

Practice in the MWD training program here helped develop the MWD handler skills the NCO learned. 

"I've thrown "loops" in training to see if Helma second guesses himself and he hasn't.  I'll follow up with questions and he doesn't hesitate to tell me he was following his dog's cue," said Rice.  "That's important, because as MWD handlers being able to read your dog is a key part of our job."

Based on Arko's unwaivering gaze and willingness to do whatever his handler requests, it appears he feels the same way about Helma.

"I'm lucky.  Arko is eager to learn new tasks.  He makes my job easier," said Helma.

Since following his instincts and pursing a career as a MWD handler, Helma has found his calling.  Helma now hopes to work his way up to becoming a MWD trainer and then kennel master in the future.

However, when Helma is credited by supervisors for being a stellar NCO, he credits his success at his job here to Arko.

"Arko is more than a dog, he is also a comrade-in-arms," said Helma.