Devil Dogs take flight MP dogs, handlers prepare for deployment

Courtesy Photo | Members of Military Police Support Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF, calm their military working dogs as the CH-46 Sea Knight prepares to take flight during helicopter familiarization training Oct. 15. (Photo by: Cpl. Rebekka S. Heite)  

OKINAWA, JAPAN

10.15.2010

Courtesy Story

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

OKINAWA, Japan - Marines from Military Police Support Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, and Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III MEF, worked together to familiarize five military working dogs with the CH-46 Sea Knight while static and in flight Oct. 15.

"The primary purpose of this training is to familiarize the MWD's with the helicopter and to allow the handlers to see how the MWD's react to the noise and disturbances of the aircraft," said Gunnery Sgt. Greg A. Ashby, kennel master with Military Working Dog Platoon, MP Spt. Company. "Additionally, it is to teach the handlers and MWD's how to safely and properly enter and exit the aircraft in preparation for future combat operations."

The training was accomplished in baby steps: entering and exiting a static CH-46, entering and exiting a CH-46 that was spinning up, flying a couple circuits around the base, and flying to points all over the island and having the dogs disembark and then re-embark.

During the training the dogs were introduced to hover landings, no hover landings, running landings, steep approaches, zoom climbs, spiral departures, running take-offs and obstacle departures, said Capt. Kenneth Zebley, aircraft commander during the training with HMM-265.

"It went very well," he said. "Now the handlers know how the dogs will react, and all the dogs did really well."

Of the five dogs, only Cherry had been in a helicopter prior to the training. Cherry is a 5-year-old combat tracker with MWD Platoon who has stayed with his handler, Cpl. Gary Rowan, throughout his handler's military career because of the specialized training the two have gone through together.

The other dogs include Rroger, Zak, Eiko and Johny.

Rroger is a 3-year-old combat tracker, meaning he tracks people, said his handler, Cpl. Sky Bryson.

Zak is a 2-year-old drug detection dog; dogs with this designation stay with their kennel throughout their careers instead of staying with their handler. For the time being, Zak's handler is Cpl. Ryan Jones.

Eiko is a 2-year-old patrol and explosive detection dog handled by Cpl. Christopher Baez.

Johny will be 2 years old on Nov. 27. He is a patrol and explosive detection dog handled by Lance Cpl. Charles Sicklesteel.

The only dog who was a little nervous after a few flights was Rroger, said Bryson.

"But he definitely improved and is more comfortable with the helicopter," he said.

"I wish I would have had this training before deploying with Cherry [the first time]," said Rowan. "In combat, I had [my rifle and packs] and Cherry pulling me. It would have been less stress for the dog and less stress for me" if Cherry had been familiar with helicopters.

"Now, Cherry is a lot more confident," he added. "He knows what's going on."

MP Spt. Company plans to train four more MWD's before their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan next year.

• Date Taken: 10.15.2010
• Date Posted: 10.31.2010 20:16
• Story ID: 59185
• Location: OKINAWA, JP