Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Military working dog Ramos shows his teeth during patrol training Oct. 28, 2015, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Ramos is a patrol and detection dog, meaning he trains in both daily to keep his skills up to date. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Alexa Ann Henderson)Military working dog Ramos shows his teeth during patrol training Oct. 28, 2015, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Ramos is a patrol and detection dog, meaning he trains in both daily to keep his skills up to date. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Alexa Ann Henderson)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Staff Sgt. Adrian Chavez, a 36th Security Forces Squadron dog trainer, and military working dog Ramos conduct patrol training together Oct. 28, 2015, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Patrol training is an essential part of training for patrol dogs to be able to protect personnel and assets. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Alexa Ann Henderson)Airmen work hand-in-paw with four legged wingmen
                        
                        
                        Staff Sgt. Adrian Chavez, a 36th Security Forces Squadron dog trainer, and military working dog Ramos conduct patrol training together Oct. 28, 2015, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Patrol training is an essential part of training for patrol dogs to be able to protect personnel and assets. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Alexa Ann Henderson)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

Airmen work hand-in-paw with four-legged wingmenPublished Nov. 5, 2015
                    
                    By Airman 1st Class Alexa Ann Henderson
                    
                    
                    36th Wing Public Affairs
            **ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AFNS) --**The bond between man and dog is a special one, dating back to times when wolves and men would hunt together. Through years of evolution and change, the relationship between dogs and humans has grown stronger.Despite evolving technology of surveillances and detection, the skill of a trained working dog and his or her handler remains unrivalled when it comes to ensuring the safety and security of the bases and resources around the world. The relationship and the trust between the pair are what make the mission work.Opportunities to join these elite crews are limited. The Andersen Air Force Base teams train on a daily basis to keep their skills up-to-date, minds sharp, and bonds strong."The work to become a military working dog handler is intense," said Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Toliver, the 36th Security Forces Squadron kennel master.On top of two years of security forces service and meeting certain job training requirements, Airmen must also submit an application package, he said. Only after being accepted, can they attend the dog handler training.One of Andersen AFB's most established teams consists of Staff Sgt. Eric Serviss, a 36th SFS dog handler, and his K-9 partner Johny, who have worked together for almost two years. Despite their experience together, they are considered to be a green team, since both dog and handler had little to no experience with the K-9 program before their assignment."Johny is Serviss' first dog, and Serviss is Johny's first handler," Toliver explained. "Those two clicked immediately after being partnered together. They work great together and trust each other."Johny is a German shepherd, one of three breeds typically used in Defense Department police work. The other two include the Belgian Malinois and Dutch shepherd."Johny motivates me, works hard and has helped me mature as a dog handler," Serviss said.Picking Johny was a great learning experience for the team because they got to learn how to work together and become efficient in their job, he said.Before he teamed up with Johny, the Airman cared for the dogs of other handlers and ensured they exercised and received attention when their handlers were away or off duty.There are three main jobs a MWD can do: patrol, bomb and narcotics detection. Day-to-day training involves honing these skills and building rapport between handler and dog.The Andersen AFB kennels are one of the largest out of more than 70 facilities across the Air Force. While the dogs may remind many of the homebound pets of base housing, these trained workers are a force to be reckoned with at all times."I think people just need to be aware that these dogs are not pets," said Staff Sgt. Adrian Chavez, a 36th SFS dog handler trainer. "We love them like pets, but they are our partners. You could look at it like a regular security forces team ... You aren't going to walk up and just pet some guy's partner."K-9 



security forces 



Andersen AFB Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                DAF leaders talk budget, reoptimizing the force
                    
                    DAF leaders speak at National Character and Leadership Symposium
                    
                    DAF members recognized during BEYA STEM awards
                    
                    DAF senior enlisted advisors discuss Airmen, Guardians in the fight
                    
                    SecAF Kendall AFA Warfare Symposium Q&A: Reoptimizing for Great Power CompetitionInnovation
                AFWERX director discusses role of tech startups, quick innovation in Great Power Competition
                    
                    DAF delivers lethality at the speed of data during Project Convergence Capstone 4
                    
                    DAF welcomes industry partners to HQ development program
                    
                    DAF announces Spark Tank 2024 finalists
                    
                    Chief Digital, Artificial Intelligence Office to host hackathon in HawaiiMAJCOM News
                Safety enterprise announces new mission, vision, goals in 2024 strategic plan
                    
                    Air Combat Command welcomes new commander
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander discusses Integrated Air, Missile Defense during Munich Security Conference
                    
                    Flosi to AFMC family: Embrace change, make every day count
                    
                    AMC rises to increasing global tension
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil