AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar — For some, having a canine companion is like having a tail-wagging best friend. For the Air Force military working dog handlers with the 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, it means having another wingman they honor like their human counterparts.
Personnel here did just that, commemorating fallen military working dogs and military working dog handlers with a remembrance ceremony followed by a three-mile ruck march April 20.
“Not everyone realizes that the dogs we train are not our pets. They are government assets, just like airmen. And because they are government assets, they are exposed to the same dangers we are, if not more,” said Air Force Senior Airman Noah Medor, a dog handler with the 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron.
Human-canine partnership
“The dogs may be our wingmen, but they are different than a normal wingman,” Medor said.
Medor explained that as a dog handler he is always building a bond between him and his canine partner, just like the relationships he strengthens with his co-workers and fellow airmen, except his canine wingman has heightened senses.
“Emotions travel down leash is a common saying in the military working dog community; my dog knows when I come in to work angry or frustrated and in turn it shows in his training,” Medor said. “We feed off of each other’s energy, so it is important that I keep a steady attitude. I wouldn’t want my dog’s behavior to reflect poorly upon my training.”
Air Force Staff Sgt. Steven Watkins, also a military working dog handler, explained that one of the challenges with this is they are operating 24/7.
“We work long shifts, and when we are not working we are training, and when we are not training we are checking up on our dogs,” Watkins said. “We don’t just come in to work and play with dogs; we make a difference in the lives of our fellow service members.”
Military working dogs perform tough duties
Military working dogs are an integral part of the Air Force. The result of a lack of obedience or bad training could be a matter of life and death.
“The dogs are here to find explosives and act as a psychological deterrent,” Watkins said. “I have personally seen the result of good training save a member’s life from an explosive.”
Medor and his comrades wanted to share the opportunity to honor fallen military working dogs and handlers.
The base-wide event was considered a success with more than 65 members participating.
“Rucking is a great way to commemorate those who have given everything to their military service,” said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jacop Parker, the unit’s kennel master. “It was challenging for both the handler wearing a 60-pound ruck sack and the dog running alongside their handler.”
“All in all, it is always a good day when you have your dog with you,” Watkins said.
Air Force Staff Sgt. Amadio Apilado, a military working dog trainer with the 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, holds up a photo of Sarge, a fallen U.S. Air Force military working dog that served in the Vietnam War, during a three-mile ruck march at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, April 20, 2017. Apilado wanted to honor Sarge during the ruck because it was a commemorative march to honor all fallen military working dogs and handlers.
