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PAKTIKA PROVINCE, Afghanistan (7/12/12) – U.S. Army Staff Sgt.
Andrew Black moved back toward the Huskey mine clearance vehicle to
watch from a safe distance as a team traced the wire of a suspected
improvised explosive device back toward the road. His military
working dog, Lobo, was held on the end of a leash and the pair was
taking a short break after searching the last 500 meters.
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Mine Detection Dog Gill and his handler search for explosives while a soldier pulls security during a patrol in Ghazni
Province, Afghanistan, in May. Photo by U.S. Army 1Lt. David Brink,
Task Force Mad Dog
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Suddenly, enemy forces unleashed AK-47 fire from a position 400
meters away. The team tracing the wire hit the ground and returned
fire. Support vehicles joined in engaging the enemy and after five
minutes, forced the attackers to withdraw.
The team lost the
wire during the engagement and was now scrambling to reacquire it.
Black brought Lobo up front to search. Lobo walked out front, nose
to the ground, with Black still on the leash close behind. After no
more than 70 meters, Lobo stopped. Black called Lobo back, marked
the site and called for support. The site was interrogated and 200
pounds of homemade explosive was found buried four feet down.
Black and Lobo are a mine detection dog team belonging to the 49th
Engineer Detachment from Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Military working
dogs are trained to search for, detect and warn of buried mines,
explosives and other casualty-producing devices. Handlers are
experienced combat engineers who work with and direct the dog
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during searches. |
The 49th Engineer Detachment has maintained a constant
presence in Afghanistan since 2004, neutralizing the threat
of mines and unexploded ordnance in support of tactical
operations. The detachment deploys squads of dog teams.
Since their involvement began in Operation Enduring Freedom,
mine detection dogs have proven effective - capable of area
reduction and delineation of minefields, route clearance,
clearance verification, creation of safe lanes through mine
fields, and mine field casualty extraction.
Potential handlers go through the six-month mine detection
dog course at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and graduate with the
additional skill identifier “K9." Potential handlers must
also interview with a kennel master, during which
expectations are defined. Once accepted to the school,
handlers spend months with their new four-legged partners,
training on obedience, explosive detection and minefield
clearance, as well as studying canine behavior and
behavioral conditioning techniques.
Teams arriving
at the 49th Engineer Detachment. immediately begin training
for deployment. The senior trainer of the detachment, an
experienced mine detection dog non-commissioned officer,
leads the training, implementing real world scenarios. Teams
also conduct training missions with units on post, units
conducting predeployment training and field training
exercises. Mine detection dog teams are also utilized for
UXO clearance in support of range control. Prior to
deployment, mine detection dog teams must gain
certification. Mine detection dog teams travel to Yuma
Proving Grounds, Ariz., where officials certify the teams.
The 49th engineers deployed to Afghanistan work with
the Mine Action Center, performing quality assurance and
quality control tasks for the mine clearance of Bagram Air
Field, one of the most heavily-mined areas in the world.
Since 2004, the mine detection dog teams assisted in the
clearance of 6.7 million square meters on Bagram Air Field.
“It's here where they show their true capability
beyond the instrument search limitations,” explained
Australian Maj. John Riley, Mine Action Center
officer-in-charge. ”We would not be able to achieve the
quality assurance that we provide without their support.”
The 49th Engineer Detachment also assists the Mine
Action Center with quick reaction force missions for
vehicles, aircraft or personnel caught in minefields. Mine
detection dogs are able to search more rapidly and deploy to
areas unreachable by manual and mechanical means so an mine
detection dog team is always on standby for these missions.
Mine detection dog teams have been called upon many times to
clear safe lanes through potentially mined areas to reach
downed aircraft or stranded vehicles.
The U.S.
military also uses mine detection dog teams for quality
assurance and quality control of potential sites during
builds and expansions of bases and outposts. Prior to
construction, mine detection dog teams deploy to the
potential build site to ensure the area is free of
explosives prior to construction. This additional request
for mine detection dog support required the detachment to
deploy another squad. Since 2010, mine detection dog teams
have cleared more than 250,000 square meters in preparation
for site construction.
In 2010, mine detection dog
teams started integrating heavily into route clearance
operations due to the constant improvised explosive device
and mine threat along routes in Afghanistan. Route clearance
units continue to see the added value to having a mine dog
team. Mine detection dog teams are able to detect the
deep-buried explosives mechanical means may not pick up.
They are able to traverse routes not accessible to much of
the route clearance equipment and they provide a faster
means of search for deliberate clearance.
Because of
their growing reputation, versatility and effectiveness
record, the mine detection dog teams have made an enduring
impact on the global war on terrorism and are sought after
by engineers, infantry, and special operations to support
route clearance and maneuver operations. Mine detection dogs
have deployed to all regions of Afghanistan and have proven
effective in any environment.
With Operation Enduring
Freedom drawing to a close, the job of mine detection dog s
will certainly not be over. With more than 20,000 people
being killed by land mines annually, mine detection dogs are
an asset which could be used around the globe.
Afghanistan is the fourth most heavily-mined country in the
world, and while more than 158 countries have signed the
Ottawa Agreements banning the production of land mines,
there are still nations who continue production. As the
United Nations continues to conduct humanitarian demining
all over the world, the mine detection dog teams could prove
to be an even greater resource.
By Army 1st Lt. Jeffrey Vlietstra
49th Engineer Detachment
(K9)
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2012
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