49th Engineer Detachment Dogs Deployed

Sgt. Garrett Grenier, a dog handler, and Staff Sgt. Drake, a mine-detection dog, enjoy a game of fetch before training at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Jan. 8, 2013.

Grenier and Drake are both attached to the 49th Engineer Detachment (mine dogs) and train daily pending weather and mission tempo. The handlers warm up their dogs with games of tug-of-war and fetch to get them into the training mindset.

Sgt. Brian Curd, a dog handler, shows Staff Sgt. Allen, a mine-detection dog, some affection after a training session at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Jan. 8, 2013.

Curd and Allen are both with the 49th Engineer Detachment (mine dogs) based out of Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and deployed to detect mines for line units and clear minefields for expansion.

Sgt. Garret Grenier, a dog handler, gives Staff Sgt. Drake, a mine-detection dog, his favorite toy as a reward after a successful training session at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Jan. 8, 2013.

Drake and Grenier are members of the 49th Engineer Detachment (mine dogs). A military working dog’s rank is always higher than its handler in order to promote the welfare of the animal. If the handler abuses the dog, he can be punished for hurting a superior noncommisioned officer.

Photo Credit: Sgt. Christopher Bonebrake, 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment