This archive includes blog posts published by the Military Working Dog Team Support Association prior to 2016, as well as miscellaneous content that is now out-of-date.
MWDTSA, founded in 2006, has served hundreds of military working dog teams in all branches of the service. We provide care packages to handlers and K9s serving in global combat zones. We schedule recognition events for active duty teams at home station kennels.
As well, we support veterans causes and much more. The blog posts in this archive cover a range of topics, from kennel visits to donor thank yous. For more stories, also check out our Kennel Talk archive here: https://www.mwdtsa.org/kennel-talk-newsletter-archive/
Will you become part of MWDTSA’s story? We are seeking volunteers to help in variety of roles, including fundraising. It’s an honor to support our troops, both the two-legged and four-legged variety! For more information, visit https://www.mwdtsa.org/.
By Cpl. Joshua Young
1st MEB
Military working dog handlers with 1st Law Enforcement Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force, are participating in Large Scale Exercise-1, Javelin Thrust 2012. Javelin Thrust is an annual large-scale exercise with 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., which allows active and reserve Marines and sailors from 38 different states to train together as a seamless Marine Air Ground Task Force.
Cezar, a military working dog, attacks bite wrap worn by a military working dog handler with the 305th Security Forces Squadron, 305th Air Mobility Wing, McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., while his handler supervises during a training session with the bite wrap. Cezar is a four-year-old military working dog specializing in explosive detection/patrol.
(U.S. Air Force photo by Denise Gould) (Released)
Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Jeremy Aldrich, attached to Naval Security Force, K-9 Unit, and his military working dog Tyson a four-year-old Blue Belgium Malanois, take a little break for some fun at the obstacle course on base. Aldrich has worked with Tyson for 18 months in support the base mission in providing security to the base and the Mina Salman pier. (This is an older photo, but wanted to share because I like it so much and wanted to shout out to the handler!)
U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jennifer A. Villalovos
Thor, a yellow Labrador retriever, who is a military working dog with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., recently completed Enhanced Mojave Viper predeployment training with his handler.
Thor looks like a sweetheart. While not trained for protection (I’m just assuming here) Thor would be trained really well for explosives. Watching these dogs work on a scent trail that people cannot see, smell, taste or touch is an amazing thing to do.
Photo by Lance Cpl. M. C. Nerl
Staff Sgt. Titan, a military police dog assigned to the 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, takes down a demonstrator wearing a ‘bite-proof’ suit in a training exercise.
Photo Credit: Spc. David Strayer, 109th MPAD
Staff Sgt. Erick Martinez, a military dog handler, carries Argo II March 4, 2011, during an exercise at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. The exercise is designed to build loyalty, trust and teamwork between the K-9s and their handlers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Allen Stokes)
Staff Sgt. Jason Albrecht runs military working dog, Markey, through an obstacle course July 13, 2011, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., during an obedience training session. Albrecht is a senior military working dog handler assigned to the 20th Security Forces Squadron, and Markey is a military working dog. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kenny Holston)
Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – A Marine with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division (Forward), follows his military working dog on patrol. The Marines conducted hundreds of dismounted and mounted patrols through their six months in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Courtesy Photo by Cpl. Marco Mancha)
Today at the post office there were a couple of great surprises awaiting, one of which was a box from Hadley Middle School in Homer Glen, Illinois with great letters to the handlers and dogs inside. There were also some toys and treats.
We love receiving these to send and wanted to thank the students and, of course, the teacher who made it all possible. (Apparently, there is someone at Hadley Middle School that is as big a fan of glitter as I am! : ))
We will get these out in the next shipment and really appreciate your efforts!