Air Force K-9s Demonstrate Skills in Honor of K-9 Veterans Day

Military Dogs’ Valor Celebrated with Live Demonstrations at Space Force Base

In a dynamic display of agility and strength, military working dogs showcased their skills at Peterson Space Force Base in honor of K-9 Veterans Day. Air Force Tech Sgt. Blair Pembleton participated in a dramatic training session, illustrating the critical role these canines play in military operations.

Pembleton, who serves as a handler for these remarkable dogs, donned a protective suit known as “the suit” to withstand the powerful grip of Jagd, a Belgian Malinois. During the simulation, she acted as a non-compliant suspect attempting to escape, only to be quickly subdued by Jagd’s decisive action.

“When we’re in the suit, we’re basically just a giant chew toy to them,” Pembleton remarked, acknowledging the dog’s formidable strength even through the protective gear.

The event, organized by Space Base Delta 1, celebrated the contributions of military working dogs (MWDs) on March 13, observed annually as K-9 Veterans Day. The demonstration highlighted the dogs’ exceptional obedience, agility, and attack capabilities.

Space Base Delta 1, based at Peterson, is a critical hub for supporting space operations and national defense. According to Tech Sgt. Cody Lake, the kennel master, the SBD1 K-9 team includes 12 dogs comprising German shepherds, Belgian Malinois, Dutch shepherds, and a Labrador retriever.

Lake explained, “We have four single-purpose dogs that sniff for drugs or explosives. The rest are dual-purpose certified, which means they can also apprehend suspects, and find them hidden in a building or a field.”

The training journey for these dogs begins at a specialized facility at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. Puppies with potential are fostered for basic obedience training before returning to Lackland for advanced training, ultimately preparing them for deployment at various duty stations.

“Generally speaking, the dog’s training never ends,” Lake noted. “When we first get the dogs, they’re like a brand-new Airman just out of tech school. They have a certain amount of training, but they’re not fully mission-capable just yet. So it’s on us, as their handlers, to start building them up and getting them more advanced.”

Officials emphasized that the primary function of MWDs is deterrence, often leveraging their presence to gain compliance. However, these dogs are also trained to respond to aggressive behavior independently, ensuring swift action when necessary.

“Our MWDs will act as a secondary security force member when searching a person,” stated Lake. “If at any time, the suspect decides to fight or interfere with the search, our dog will be on them within a split second.”

The dogs are equally trained to retreat when a suspect surrenders. During a demonstration, Pembleton enacted a fleeing suspect’s role, prompting Jagd’s rapid pursuit. Upon her surrender, “I give up!” was the signal for Jagd to halt, showcasing the dogs’ discipline and control.

The K-9 unit at Space Base Delta 1 is integral to operations across Peterson, Schriever, and Cheyenne Mountain Space Force bases, as well as supporting Secret Service tasks and visits from high-ranking officials and dignitaries. As two of these dedicated dogs approach retirement, Lake and his team plan to reach out to their former handlers to offer them a permanent home.

Reflecting on her role, Pembleton shared, “This is a great job. You get to hang out with your best friend all day long. What could be better than that?”