Military Working Dogs

Photos capturing military personnel with working dogs during training and operations, emphasizing the integral role of canines in military activities.

220822-N-BW566-1073- GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (Aug. 22, 2022) Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Derek Beckfield, a kennel support team member, sits down while Pati, a military working dog, demonstrates bite techniques on board Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Military working dogs provide important capabilities such as search and recovery, explosives searches, and suspect apprehension throughout the installation. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay is the forward, ready, irreplaceable U.S. sea power platform in the Caribbean.

Senior Airman Jelani Bell, 8th Security Forces Squadron military working dog (MWD) handler, and MWD Hieno, prepare to board a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, assigned to U.S. Army Bravo Company, 3-2 General Support Aviation Battalion, out of Camp Humphreys, Republic of Korea, during a K-9 medical evacuation training event at Kunsan Air Base, ROK, April 26, 2022. The handlers gradually exposed the MWDs to the helicopters to familiarize them with the noises and vibrations to reduce their anxiety while flying.

060725-N-6214F-001. Base: Beirut Country: Lebanon (LBN)

001031-N-1485H-002. Base: Naval Fleet Activity, Yokosuka Country: Japan (JPN)

060427-A-6365W-267. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Forward Operating Base Remagen State: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 101ST

220822-N-BW566-1073- GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (Aug. 22, 2022) Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Derek Beckfield, a kennel support team member, sits down while Pati, a military working dog, demonstrates bite techniques on board Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Military working dogs provide important capabilities such as search and recovery, explosives searches, and suspect apprehension throughout the installation. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay is the forward, ready, irreplaceable U.S. sea power platform in the Caribbean.

Ccoolihan, 802nd Security Forces Squadron military working dog, hugs his trainer while biting a toy on Chapman Training Annex, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Jan. 18, 2024. MWD trainers use the bite toy as a reward to help with training and keep the dogs motivated to do the task. Senior military leaders on JBSA providedSan Antonio community leaderswith an interactive military experience to givethem a better understanding of the JBSA mission.

U.S. Marine Corps Military Working Dog, Zek, listens to his handlers instructions during a demonstration at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort, S.C. July 14, 2022. MWDs and their handlers mission is to ensure the safety of MCAS Beaufort with capabilities such as locating drugs and explosives, as well as taking down suspects when necessary.

Sully H.W. Bush was promoted to the honorary rank of Chief Petty Officer on 29 June 2022 during a small ceremony at Walter Reed national Military Medical Center) WRNMMCs Bldg. 1 (Tower) flagpole. His original handler at the hospital, HM1 Samantha Murdock, escorted him while Evan Sisley, former personal aide to the late President George H.W. Bush, pinned the new rank on Sully. Alongside was fellow #WRBFacilityDog HM3 Luke who was also promoted to Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (HM2).(Photographs by Harvey A. Duze - Office of Command Communications)

000704-A-5399B-291. Base: Fort Hood State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Reginald Conyers, 17th Security Forces military working dog handler, conducts a chase scenario with his partner MWD Zekk as a part of the celebration of National Police Week, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, May 19, 2022. Military working dogs play a vital role in force protection measures such as base defense, narcotics detection, and unexploded ordnance detection.

Wiesbaden Veterinary Treatment Facility worked together with the 1-214th General Support Aviation Battalion and the 525th Military Working Dog Detachment to acclimate three military working dogs to helicopter flight during a training exercise Sep. 29, at Clay Kaserne.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Gary Giddings, 736th Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dog instructor, gives instructions to Officer Ben Cruz, Guam Police Department Special Weapons and Tactics Division K-9 operator, during a Military Working Dog Immersion Course at Northwest Field, Guam, Sept. 22, 2022. Giddings and the other members of the 736th SFS MWD team, said they are planning to increase the amount of joint-training with local Guam agencies and teams from the other military services on Guam.

Staff Sgt. John Coddington restrains Gizmo, a 12-year-old Belgian Malinois, at an air base in Southwest Asia. Sergeant Coddington and Gizmo are assigned to the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, and deployed from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephen Linch)

040519-F-4539R-004. Base: Tallil Air Base State: Dhi Qar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: CENTCOM

020317-F-4406B-060. Base: Ramstein Air Base State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

U.S. Army Spc. Marc Whittaker, with the 529th Military Police Company attached and a native of Livingston, Texas, holds back his military working dog Anax while U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Erin Simes, a canine handler attached to Task Force Duke and a native of Robins Air Force Base, Ga., acts as a decoy during an end of leash drill at Forward Operating Base Salerno, Afghanistan, April 5. They conducted three portions of training involving detection, obedience and patrol skills.The scenarios incorporated real-life distracters such as an entry team to get the dog accustomed to such distractions before going out into the field.

U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Nelson Acosta, 355th Security Forces Squadron kennel master, Staff Sgt. Ryan Duggan, 355th SFS MWD handler, and Senior Airman Dillon Johnson, 355th SFS MWD handler, demonstrate a training exercise at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Feb. 7, 2024. The MDW handlers collaborated with the University of Arizonas Canine Cognition Center to demonstrate the capabilities of trained attack dogs in a controlled environment. Air Force

SSilke, a military working dog assigned to the 355th Security Forces Squadron, bites simulated perpetrator Senior Airman Gabriel Higuera, 355th SFS MWD handler, during a training scenario at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, June 1, 2022. Utilizing a bite suit during training ensures MWDs are fully equipped to protect and attack on command in a real-world environment.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Quinton Lequieu 355th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler and MWD SSilke perform obedience training at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, June 1, 2022. MWD handlers are responsible for caring and training MWDs, with the ultimate goal of preparing them to work side-by-side with an Airman in any situation they may encounter.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Harrison Broadbent, an assistant staff judge advocate assigned to the 36th Wing, gets bit by a military working dog during a static display for National Police Week at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, May 17, 2022. National Police Week offers honor, remembrance and peer support while allowing law enforcement survivors and citizens to gather and pay homage to those who gave their life in the line of duty.

A Military Working Dog from the 820th Base Defense Group, 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing, conducts water obstacle training at Wild Adventures Theme Park, Georgia, Sept. 6, 2022. The 820 BDG and 23 SFS K9 units instructed the military working dogs on water conditioning, aquatic patrol, deep water retrieval, water obstacles, bite work while in water and amphibious Tactical Combat Casualty Care.

U.S. Army Sgt. Justin Silverthorn, from Charlie Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Ft. Lewis, Wash., takes a break to pet a stray dog at a U.S. and Iraqi Army security checkpoint in Tarmiyah, Iraq, Sept. 25, 2007.

030207-F-0876R-051. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: CENTAF

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Thomas Cullen, a military working dog handler from Tyndall Air Force Base, competes in a K9 competition during National Police Week on May 18, 2022, at Eglin Air Force Base. National Police Week honors those who have sworn to protect and defend, and pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the live of duty for the safety and protection of others.

MWD Roy (left) and MWD Lisa, wait for their retirement ceremony to begin. Both dogs had been assigned to the 67th Military Police Detachment. MWD Roy had served 8 years and MWD Lisa had served 9.

040607-M-8530M-024. Base: Camp Husaybah State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: L/03/7

A military working dog (MWD) assigned to the 6th Security Forces Squadron attacks its target during a demonstration at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, May 11, 2022. MWDs are valuable to military installations by providing security and preventing illegal drugs and explosives from entering.

Airman First Class Maura Goodwin, a student Military Working Dog handler with the 341st Training Squadron, practices substance detection with her MWD lab, Lucky, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, on April 21, 2022. The 341st Training Squadron trains MWDs and handlers for the Department of Defense, enhancing the lethality and readiness of the Total Force.

Military working dog Eby/ X021 is presented with the Air Force Commendation Medal, May 12, 2022, on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming. During MWD Ebys service, she assisted the United States Secret Service with explosive detection sweeps for the President, Vice President and the First Lady of the United States.

050909-A-6334T-002. Base: Fort Gordon State: Georgia (GA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

031015-F-2185G-015. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Tallil Air Base State: Dhi Qar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: CENTCOM

STAFF SGT. Terry Smith, a dog handler from the 26th Area Support Group (ASG), Kaiserslautern, GE, with Robby.(Exact date unknown). Subject Operation/Series: PROVIDE PROMISE Base: Zagreb Country: Croatia (CRO)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Mason Avers, military working dog handler, Provost Marshal Office, Security Battalion, completes training drills with military working dog (MWD) Panda C355 on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Aug. 28, 2022. The purpose of training is to help maintain the MWD's commands and perform substance detection.

Senior Airman Salema Panama and her military working dog partner J Jackson” run through a security vehicle sweep before a presidential mission at Joint Base Andrews, Md., June 1, 2010. Security forces routinely support the U.S. Secret Service to ensure safe passage of the president, vice president, congressional members and heads of state. Airman Panama is a 316th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler.

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 432nd Security Forces Squadron, and their families run during a ruck march during police week at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, May 20, 2022. Police week occurs annually to honor the law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, and to the officers who serve and protect their community.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Ivan Perez, a military working dog handler, pats his partner, Jack, a military working dog with Provost Marshal's Office, Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, on Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, May 25, 2022. Perez and Jack, an 80-pound German Shepherd, specializing in explosives detection, have trained together for nearly a year. PMO K-9 teams are on continuous shifts on all bases in Okinawa, trained and prepared for emergencies such as suspect apprehension, pursuit attacks, building searches, field scouting, drug, and explosives detection.

030324-F-1443F-015. Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

050831-A-1327A-063. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Forward Operating Base Salerno State: Khowst Country: Afghanistan (AFG)

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Michael Abesada, 927th Aeromedical Staging Squadron senior noncommissioned officer in charge of training and education, fills the cavity of the simulation canine medical trainer K9 HERO before a course at Rattlesnake Point U.S. Army Reserve Center, Tampa, Florida, during Operation Blue Horizon, Feb. 2, 2023. The K9 HERO allows participants to practice critical life-saving tasks such as intravenous insertion, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, bandaging, and a variety of medical procedures on a realistic replica.

US Air Force SENIOR AIRMAN Brent Frasher, a Military Working Dog (MWD) Handler with the 568th Security Forces Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, acts as a decoy, with Saro, during the attack work portion of the 2001 Ramstein, K-9 Competition on January 22, 2001. Eleven teams from Ramstein are competing to determine who will represent their base in the United States Air Force in Europe (USAFE) competition and then go on to represent the command at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and the Department of Defense MWD competition. Base: Ramstein Air Base State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Thomas Pollard, a military working dog handler with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, and a native of Columbia, Louisiana, and Sgt. Toby, a U.S. Marine Corps military working dog with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS Miramar, demonstrate a take down on Cpl. Ryan Kelley, a military working dog handler with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS Miramar, and a native of El Segundo, California, for U.S. Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets during a tour of MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California, April 6, 2023. During the tour, cadets received a military working dog demonstration, visited the air traffic control tower, and saw a static display on the flight line as part of a visit to the base to familiarize them with air station operations and everyday life in the military.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Feb. 28, 2013) Master-at-Arms 1st Class David Gutierrez, acts as an aggressor during training with military working dog, Zach, during a K-9 unit patrol exercise at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story. The routine exercise is performed to keep the K-9 unit mission ready.

Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, LA, September 19, 2005 -- FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force members take a break in the shade with their rescue dogs after searching in neighborhoods impacted by Hurricane Katrina. Jocelyn Augustino/FEMA

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Shane Myers, 355th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, works with Ssilke, a military working dog assigned to the 355th SFS at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Feb. 7, 2024. Ssilke was trained to search for specific scents that could cause a threat to the mission. Air Force

Military working dog Dony waits for his appointment to begin, September 14, 2022, in the Veterinary Treatment Facility on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming. MWDs like Dony must be seen by the veterinarian on base every six months for physical checkups to continue to serve the mission.

U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Jason L. Morris, Commanding General of Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego and the Western Recruiting Region congratulates Cpl. Manny during a promotion ceremony at MCRD San Diego, April 1, 2022. Manny was promoted to the rank of Corporal during the morning colors ceremony.

060223-N-4649C-061. Base: Naval Hospital, Yokosuka Country: Japan (JPN) Scene Major Command Shown: CFA YOKOSUKA

An Iraqi boy pets military working dog Grek in Buhriz, Iraq, April 10, 2007. U.S. Army Soldiers from 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division and Iraqi army soldiers from 4th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division are going house-to-house in search for weapons caches and enemy fighters after more than 1,000 residents of this Baqubah suburb were displaced by Al-Qaeda insurgents.

021206-F-1351C-001. Base: Ganci Air Base Country: Kyrgyzstan (KGZ) Scene Major Command Shown: CENTAF

Athos, a military working dog assigned to the 95th Military Police Detachment, prepares to conduct cold load training with a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter assigned to Bravo Company, 2-158 Assault Helicopter Battalion, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. on Apr. 20, 2022. The load training was meant to help familiarize the dogs and their handlers with performing their mission with aviation support.

Niagara county local celebrity, Lloyd the dog, stands on the apron of a runway for the KC-135 Stratotanker accompanied by Airmen from the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, New York, on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022. The 107th Attack Wing, Air National Guard, invited Lloyd to enjoy the day with Airmen as he battles the late stages of kidney failure.

Soldiers from the 35th Infantry Division train with Airmen from the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Military Working Dog section on Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait.

021115-F-4649H-005. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN WATCH Base: Incirlik Air Base, Adana Country: Turkey (TUR)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Zebulun Hart, center, and his military working dog, Enoch, simulate a defensive attack on Tech. Sgt. Terrell Beasley, during a K-9 demonstration at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, May 19, 2022. The purpose of the demonstration was to familiarize service members on base with military security forces tools and practices used on the job.

221029-N-VQ841-1102 PUERTO BARRIOS, Guatemala (Oct. 29, 2022) Capt. Bryan Carmichael, commodore of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 4, shakes hands with a K-9 service dog employed by Guatemalan service members at the Brigade Marine Infantry base in Puerto Barrios, Guatemala, Oct. 29, 2022. Hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) is deployed to U.S. 4th Fleet in support of Continuing Promise 2022, a humanitarian assistance and goodwill mission conducting direct medical care, expeditionary veterinary care, and subject matter expert exchanges with five partner nations in the Caribbean, Central and South America.

DF-ST-85-02875. Base: Lackland Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Staff Sgt. Hannah Linville, a firefighter assigned to the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department, runs from a military working dog during a MWD demo, as part of the Battle of the Badges event September 10, 2022, at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. Many Battle of the Badges contests are held nationwide, as annual athletic competitions between local police and fire departments.

SPC Colleen J. Neubest (USA), US Army Military Policewoman, and Fedor, a four-year-old Dutch Shepard drug-sniffing dog, prepare to exit the aircraft that flew them both to Tuzla Air Base, Bosnia-Herzegovina, for a three to six month tour in country during Operation Joint Endeavor. Operation Joint Endeavor is a peacekeeping effort by a multinational Implementation Force (IFOR), comprised of NATO and non-NATO military forces, deployed to Bosnia in support of the Dayton Peace Accords. Subject Operation/Series: JOINT ENDEAVOR Base: Tuzla Air Base Country: Bosnia And/I Herzegovina (BIH)

Staff Sgt. Mckenzie Langan, a military working dog handler assigned to the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, trains with her MWD, Adja, in the 380th ESFS obedience yard, October 20, 2022 at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. By practicing in the obedience yard, handlers can ensure their MWD is familiar with different obstacles so they are not impeded by new terrain on the job.

Military Working Dog Rocky celebrates with his handler, Senior Airman Marcel Durand, 51st Security Forces Squadron MWD handler, after completing a portion of the First Annual United States Forces Korea K9 Competition Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, April 28, 2022. USFK members from Camp Humphreys, Kunsan and Osan Air Base competed in the competition. The intent was to create a friendly competition between the best of the best MWDs and their handlers from across the peninsula.

020416-F-3715H-005. Base: Incirlik Air Base, Adana Country: Turkey (TUR) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

Staff Sgt. Kylie Bartley, 72nd Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, holds back MWD Ccarman/C514 during an aquatic training event at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, Sept. 8, 2022. As part of their training, MWDs are introduced to water in a baby pool and brought up to speed in deeper water as their confidence improves.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Giovanni Valbrun, a military working dog handler assigned to the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Provost Marshals Office, practices commands with a military working dog prior to a K-9 capabilities demonstration for a back-to-school event at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, August 19, 2022. The demonstration educated spectators on how K-9 handlers and dogs train to maintain readiness and keep the community safe.

Practicing his specialty, "Rico", A360, Explosive Detector Dog, 568th Security Forces Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, sniffs mail from a delivery truck brought to the Northside Post Office. Base: Ramstein Air Base State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

Close to 130 Soldiers with the 65th Field Artillery deploy to Middle East 3-26-2018

Staff Sgt. Tierra Jenkins, 2nd Military Police Detachment military working dog handler, explains the capabilities of her dog Delaware to the crowd during a MWD demonstration April 15, 2022, at the Fort George G. Meade Exchange. The demonstration was part of a Month of the Military Child celebration.

A search dog and his U.S. Air Force handler check baggage ready to be loaded aboard a DC-10 aircraft at the conclusion of exercise Bright Star '82. Subject Operation/Series: BRIGHT STAR '82 Base: Cairo West Air Base State: Al Qahirah Country: Egypt (EGY)

U.S. Marine Corps recruit Bruno, the mascot in training, begins his crucible hike at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif, April 5, 2023. The Mascots job is to boost morale, perform outreach work and participate in events and ceremonies.

Iraqi Police dog handlers work with their dogs on basic obedience techniques during a working dog training course with U.S. Forces at Forward Operating Base Marez on August 15. The course is designed to fine tune obedience and explosive detection skills of the Iraqi working dogs and their handlers.

Senior Airman Nicole Kaehler, 48th Security Forces Squadron, a dog handler from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, Great Britain, and her K-9, Harras, search packages at the RAF Lakenheath post office for bombs or other dangerous articles following the terrorist attacks in the United States. Security has been tighter to help prevent another occurrence of the tragedies that struck New York and Washington, D.C.

Kathmandu (Nepal), 05/04/2015. Spanish soldiers from the UME, after their arrival in Nepal with several trained dogs. Photo: Pablo M. Díez.

Military Policemen from the 8th Military Police Detachment demonstrate their military working dogs training during a MWD demonstration at Broome-Tioga Board of Cooperative Educational Services, Binghamtom, NY, Jan. 9, 2024. MWDs are trained in all aspects of canine law enforcement, including how to detect drugs and explosives.

Public Affairs - Animal Rescue - 26-HK-415-3. Hurricane Katrina

Pito, U.S. Air Force 35th Security Forces Squadron (SFS) military working dog (MWD), bites Staff Sgt. Michael James Dacoron, 35th SFS MWD handler, during a K-9 demonstration for the Memorial Day state fair at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 30, 2022. The suit allows the dog to practice subduing suspects without endangering the decoy, providing a safe training environment for both dog and handler.

Staff Sgt. Pascual Gutierrez praises and prepares to give Coley a chew toy Feb. 18, 2011, at Forward Operating Base Lagman, Afghanistan, after Coley successfully sniffed out explosive devices during an explosive device detection training session. Sergeant Gutierrez is a military working dog handler and Coley is a military working and patrol explosive detection dog assigned to Combined Team Zabul, Afghanistan. The team is composed of working dogs and dog handlers from the Air Force, Army and Navy who help support the various units at FOB Lagman during patrols and other various missions.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Keil, left, 432nd Security Forces Squadron commander, pets military working dog JoJo as Staff Sgt. Keith, 432nd Security Forces Squadron kennel master, watches on during JoJos retirement ceremony at Creech Air Force, Nevada, Aug. 3, 2022. Military working dogs are trained to detect explosives and drugs, deter threats and protect their handlers.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Manny, the mascot for Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego, and the Western Recruiting Region, and Cpl. Max J. Noel, a combat videographer with Headquarters Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, render a salute before the 2022 Boot Camp Challenge at MCRD San Diego, Oct. 22, 2022. Manny attended the annual event to support the participants of the 3-mile obstacle course run throughout the depot.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Trevor Frank, 97th Security Forces Squadron military working dog (MWD) handler, holds a toy in front of Cora, retired MWD, at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, Sept. 9, 2022. Cora is rewarded for her training with dog toys.

A U.S. Marine with Chemical Biological Incident Response Force comforts a simulated animal casualty during exercise Vista Forge in Atlanta, Georgia, Nov. 2, 2022. Exercise Vista Forge was a joint annual exercise in which Army forces directed a series of exercises that brought together local, State, and Department of Defense, capabilities across the Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear response enterprise across the U.S.

Rambo, a patrol and explosive detector dog assigned to the 447th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, attacks Senior Airman Stephen Hanks, a 447th ESFS military working dog handler, while training on an obstacle course in Baghdad, Iraq, Dec. 9, 2011. For the last six months Rambo and Hanks, have been supporting Operation New Dawn by providing explosive and psychological deterrence. Hanks is deployed from Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., and is from Amherst, Mass. Rambo is deployed from Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.

A promotion and commissioning ceremony for the Facility Dog Program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) took place at the flagpole in front of Building 1 (The Tower) on Tuesday, Oct. 18.Navy Capt. Anthony W. Keller, executive officer, Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command officiated at the commissioning of the newest Nurse Corps facility dog - Angus Darling, who was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Nurse Officer Corps, U.S. Navy.Navy Capt. Kelly Elmore, Chief of Staff at WRNMMC officiated at the promotion of four of the WRNMMC facility dogs: Truman (promoted to Army sergeant major); Apollo (promoted to Navy lieutenant), Ellie Mae (promoted to Navy commander); and Goldie (promoted to Air Force major general).The Walter Reed Bethesda Facility Dogs Program was created by Navy Capt. David Bitonti in 2007 as a pilot program to provide an extraordinary experience to patients and staff. Through canine companionship, the program has provided an opportunity for vo

110707-N-QL533-001SOUDA BAY, Greece (July 7, 2011) Master-at-Arms Seaman Nicholas Whisker, left, performs routine training exercises with his military working dog, Betty, while Master-at-Arms 1st Class Carlton Kornegay acts as an aggressor.

040129-F-7392S-001. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Kirkuk Country: Iraq (IRQ)

With his arm padded for protection while playing the role of "intruder," A1C Lawrence Gardea is challenged by the working dog Bart and AMN Jennifer Page. Page is learning how to train Bart in field search techniques at the Military Working Dog School. Base: Lackland Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Manny, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and the Western Recruiting Region mascot, visits families with Weapons and Field Training Battalion (WFTBN), MCRD San Diego during an Easter celebration at Camp Pendleton, California, April 16, 2022. The event was hosted by WFTBN and consisted of an egg hunt, food, bouncy houses, a raffle, games, and a visit from the Easter Bunny.

Vice President of the United States Kamala D. Harris greets Rroswell, 374th Security Forces squadron military working dog, during her departure at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Sep. 29, 2022. Vice President Harris joined other dignitaries and world leaders to pay tribute to the life and memory of former Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during his state funeral.

A promotion and commissioning ceremony for the Facility Dog Program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) took place at the flagpole in front of Building 1 (The Tower) on Tuesday, Oct. 18.Navy Capt. Anthony W. Keller, executive officer, Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command officiated at the commissioning of the newest Nurse Corps facility dog - Angus Darling, who was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Nurse Officer Corps, U.S. Navy.Navy Capt. Kelly Elmore, Chief of Staff at WRNMMC officiated at the promotion of four of the WRNMMC facility dogs: Truman (promoted to Army sergeant major); Apollo (promoted to Navy lieutenant), Ellie Mae (promoted to Navy commander); and Goldie (promoted to Air Force major general).The Walter Reed Bethesda Facility Dogs Program was created by Navy Capt. David Bitonti in 2007 as a pilot program to provide an extraordinary experience to patients and staff. Through canine companionship, the program has provided an opportunity for vo

Opha Mae II, the Depot Mascot, completes Corporal's Course with Class 1-24 on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., February 9th, 2024. The mascot is used to boost the morale of Marines and recruits aboard the depot, as well as the families of graduating Marines that come to visit. Marine Corps

Busz, a military working dog, lunges towards Gunnery Sgt. Alfred Nieto Jr., kennel master, Provost Marshal Office, Security Battalion to retrieve a training tug from him during a water training exercise at Buffalo Pond on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, April 23, 2022. The exercise was used to help train Busz on attacking a suspect in the water. (Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Keegan T. Bailey)

Sedona greets an Spc. Bethany Schilling upon the 159th Finance Management Support Detachment's return from a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom Sentinel. This was the 159th's third deployment since 9/11. (Arizona Army National Guard

Security personnel with bomb detecting dogs in action around sidewalks, bushes, parked vehicles outside Harry S. Truman Building

A dog handler with the Iraqi Police Al Anbar K-9 unit in Ramadi, Iraq, poses with his dog, Sassy, a chocolate Labrador retriever, after she successfully found an explosive sample during training April 16, 2010. While dogs are considered unclean in Iraqi culture, the K-9 unit is increasingly popular with Iraqi police and army for their dogs ability to find explosives and people who have handled them.

SAN FRANCISCO (Oct. 8, 2022) - Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Alexsandro Zitelli, from Stratford, Conn., speaks with the public about being a military working dog (MWD) handler as a part of San Francisco Fleet Week 2022, Oct. 8, 2022. SFFW is an opportunity for the American public to meet their Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard teams and experience Americas sea services. During fleet week, service members participate in various community service events, showcase capabilities and equipment to the community, and enjoy the hospitality of the city and its surrounding areas.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dominique Wright, a command and control specialist for the 167th Airlift Wing, is greeted by Thin Line Service Dogs, Moose, Chief and September, along with the organizations founders Anjanette and Wayne Montano. The service dogs visited the base as part of the Wings resilience day activities. Thin Line Service Dogs is a non-profit organization that provides service dogs to first responders and veterans.

041013-F-4109K-001. Base: Langley Air Force Base State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Military working dogs and their handlers from the 72nd Security Forces Squadron pose for official photos November 4, 2022, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma.

U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Bruno, the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and Western Recruiting Region mascot, awaits the playing of the national anthem at the Orange County North-South High School All-Star football game in Costa Mesa, California, Feb. 3, 2024. Brunos job is to boost morale, participate in outreach work, and attend events and ceremonies. Marine Corps

Close-up of a military working dog who has been through two explosions while on patrol in Iraq.

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