JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. –
The 87th Security Forces Squadron K-9 section held a Joint Force training with members of the Marine Aircraft Group 49 where military working dogs were familiarized with helicopter transportation.
By leveraging resources and training capabilities, two Joint Partners were able to immerse pilots, air crew, and military working dogs in a potential real-world scenario with aircraft.
“This training was to see just how capable our Military Working Dog teams are in regard to their detection capabilities and patrol work, with the added variable of helicopter involvement,” U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Lindsay Zaccardi, K-9 kennel master. “This was the first application of helicopter training for all dog teams that participated, and the Marines as well.”
According to Zaccardi, this joint training was a first-ever event for the two Mission Partners.
“We had two days of training,” said Zaccardi. “First, we had our dog teams approach a helicopter to familiarize them with the sounds and appearance of the aircraft. We needed to get them comfortable getting on and off the helicopter, and also used to being in their required gear - eye and ear pro for canines. The second day of training consisted of actually flying to a landing zone and getting the dogs to exit the helicopter onto the terrain.”
Pleased with the results of the training, Zaccardi credits the dog’s quick adaptation to the helicopter and other training scenarios to the bond they share with their handlers.
“These dogs trust their handlers and that bond played a pivotal role in their performance as a team,” said Zaccardi. “Each iteration on and off of the helicopter became more and more comfortable and ultimately were able to go immediately into “detection mode” upon exit; allowing the team to locate explosive training aids quickly and effectively.”
The real-world application for this kind of training is primarily for deployed environments. The dog teams are now qualified for helicopter insertions into a hostile theater where bomb detection is vital to mission success.
“Another important takeaway from this training is that if anything were to happen on our flight line at the Joint Base, our dog teams have the capability as a threat multiplier to be around aviation engines and still perform their duties,” said Zaccardi.
The service pair proved to be a good match, with both parties walking away from the joint training feeling accomplished and invigorated from the experience.
“This Joint Partner in particular was phenomenal to work with,” said U.S. Marine Corps. Maj. Kyle Stiritus, CH-53E pilot. “We had the aircraft they needed and the excitement for the training. Not only were we able to get their dog teams on a flight, we also wanted to be as immersive in their training as possible.”
Already eager for the next joint training opportunity, the K-9 section is seeking to collaborate with other sister services on the installation by leveraging their dogs as mutual training assets.
“In the near future, we would like to set up training with the U.S. Navy medical group to showcase Canine Tactical Combat Casualty Care and how to assist with a Military Working Dog that is injured during battle.”