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      78th Security Forces Squadron receives new K-9 SUV’s78th Security Forces Squadron receives new K-9 SUV’s
                        
                        
                        Staff Sgt. Autumn Smith, 78th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, places, Zorro, in a new K-9 modified SUV at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., Dec. 3, 2020. The new modified K-9 SUV has four-wheel drive, more space for the K-9 team to operate and an enhanced cooling system to prevent the interior of the vehicle from getting too hot. (U.S. Air Force photo by Joseph Mather)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        78th Security Forces Squadron receives new K-9 SUV’s78th Security Forces Squadron receives new K-9 SUV’s
                        
                        
                        Staff Sgt. Autumn Smith, 78th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, and her working dog, Zorro, get ready for their patrol in their new modified K-9 SUV at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., Dec. 3, 2020. The new modified K-9 SUV has four-wheel drive, more space for the K-9 team to operate, and an enhanced cooling system to prevent the interior of the vehicle from getting too hot. (U.S. Air Force photo by Joseph Mather)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        78th Security Forces Squadron receives new K-9 SUV’s78th Security Forces Squadron receives new K-9 SUV’s
                        
                        
                        A new 78th Air Base Wing Security Forces Squadron K-9 modified SUV stands ready for duty at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., Dec. 3, 2020. The new modified K-9 SUV has four-wheel drive, more space for the K-9 team to operate and an enhanced cooling system to prevent the interior of the vehicle from getting too hot. (U.S. Air Force photo by Joseph Mather)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

New Defender SUVs provide cooler, smoother ride for caninesPublished Jan. 23, 2021
                    
                    By Malcolm McClendon
                    
                    
                    Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Public Affairs
            **JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas (AFNS) --**The **Air Force Security Forces Center**’s vehicle program delivered the first of new military working dog patrol vehicles to **Robins Air Force Base**, Georgia, as part of their initiative to modernize Defender equipment across the Air Force.
The improvements from previous patrol vehicles is the result of AFSFC’s vehicle program’s input to the Federal Service Law Enforcement Vehicle Equipment Standardization initiative and is focused on keeping MWD handlers and canines mission-ready.
Security Forces members at Robins learned about the vehicle “hot dog” system, which automatically kicks in when the interior gets too hot for the canines. The full-size sport utility vehicles also have a more spacious interior that gives the dogs a more comfortable ride.
“These new vehicles are definitely an upgrade,” said Staff. Sgt. Matthew Cerulli, MWD handler with the 78th Security Forces Squadron. “I think the best thing is the ‘hot dog’ system, which, in case of an emergency, we have to leave our dog in the vehicle and it gets too hot, an alarm will go off, the windows will roll down and the A/C will crank on to help keep the canines cool.
“However, I think the dogs’ favorite thing is the additional room. We have some large canines and in this new vehicle they can get up and stretch out as needed,” Cerulli added.
“AFSFC’s Vehicle Program seeks efficiencies in vehicle procurement, decreases redundancies and streamlines processes to improve law enforcement readiness,” said Master Sgt. Michael Roth, Security Forces vehicle program manager at AFSFC.
Prior to the FEDSLEVES program, units sourced their own funds to purchase the necessary equipment, which required local vendors to upfit vehicles after they arrived at the installation.
“This program provides security forces units with vehicles that are standardized with pre-installed equipment packages,” Roth said. “We also provide funding for (other) equipment in these vehicles, allowing them to go on patrol immediately. We’re saving the units $17,700 per patrol vehicle and $19,500 per MWD patrol vehicle, so we’re saving the unit both time and money.”
Defenders at Robins AFB and their canines are rolling out in these ready-to-go SUVs.
“These vehicles are a big step forward in keeping our mission ready here at Robins Air Force Base,” said Tech. Sgt. Seth Wilson, 78th SFS kennel master. “Our mission, along with the military working dogs, is to keep everyone on base safe, and these new vehicles allow us to focus more on accomplishing that.”
Additional improvements include a radio prep package, which allows operators to plug and play their current radio systems, an upgraded emergency lighting and public address system, and increased weapons storage in the rear cargo area.
“These new MWD vehicles are a product of the hard work of the Air Force Security Forces Center’s Vehicle Program team to modernize the fleet and keep Defenders and their canines mission ready,” Roth said.
Security Forces units can expect to receive the new vehicles as their current ones reach their end-of-life cycle, Roth added.AFWN 



USAF 



AF 



Air Force 



military working dog 



MWD 



Air Force Security Forces Center 



AFSFC 



Robins Air Force Base 



78th Security Forces Squadron 



defenders 



AFMC

Related Links
        Inside AFIMSC - New Military Working Dog Vehicle 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
                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
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander emphasizes five focus areas during AFA Warfare Symposium
 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