Four- legged Airmen protect Tyndall, beyond

  • Published
  • By 325th Security Forces Squadron
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  

Members of the 325th Security Forces Squadron military working dog section train both four- legged and two- legged Airmen to keep the base and personnel safe both at home and down range.

"We train the MWD teams rigorously focusing on improvised explosive device detection and patrolling," said Master Sgt. Michael Mellen, 325th SFS kennel master. "Tech Sgt. Todd Shumate and his MWD Jack are one of our more senior teams, and they are getting the job done in Afghanistan, representing the 325th SFS and 325th Fighter Wing with distinction."

These four- legged Airmen receive years of training starting at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas including basic obedience and defensive actions protecting resources and military personnel. This training also includes introduction to odor recognition and initial certification. Handlers here at Tyndall enhance the training with advanced obedience and odor training and only after being certified are the teams are ready to deploy.

Once deployed, both Airmen are hard at work saving lives.

"I will say Jack's detection is spot on," said Sergeant Shumate of his four-legged partner. "He saved us the other day while we were on a side of a mountain. Jack got high fives from the guys for his response."

The Air Force began using dogs for sentry duty in 1965 after a successful attack by the North Vietnamese on Da Nang Air Base. Today, the dogs are not only trained to detect people, but are used to detect hidden narcotics and explosives.

Sergeant Shumate and MWD Jack are expected home in the coming months and will be back to keep Team Tyndall safe with other handlers and highly-trained MWDs.

"I talk with Sergeant Shumate weekly, and he is ready to come home, but will miss his deployed unit," said Sergeant Mellen. "The other handlers are excited to get him back home,"

The 325th SFS, or Centurions, currently have nine MWDs in various stages of training or are currently deployed.

"Sergeant Shumate and Jack have been working flawlessly saving lives and protecting our forces in the most austere locations of Afghanistan," said Maj. Anthony McCarty, the 325th SFS commander. "Every member of the Centurion family is extremely proud of them and is looking forward to their safe return and a little well-earned R&R!"