Military Working Dogs - training the nose that knows

Senior Airman Ryan Faulk, 5th Security Forces Squadron (5SFS) military working dog handler, and Manson-Pogo, a 5SFS military working dog, climb into a UH-1N Iroquois at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Aug. 11, 2025. The dogs boarded and unboarded the helicopter as part of Helo Integration training with the 54th Helicopter Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kendra A. Ransum)

Military Working Dogs - training the nose that knows

A military working dog (MWD) patch is worn on the sleeve of Senior Airman Alexandria Molloy, 5th Security Forces Squadron (5SFS) MWD handler at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Aug. 11, 2025. During the training from Aug. 11 to Aug. 13, 5SFS MWD handlers conducted joint training with the Minot Police Department in helicopter integration, water confidence, mass odor and training lanes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kendra A. Ransum)

Military Working Dogs - training the nose that knows

Senior Airman Ryan Faulk, 5th Security Forces Squadron (5SFS) military working dog handler, and Manson-Pogo, a 5SFS military working dog (MWD), run to board a UH-1N Iroquois for Helo Integration training at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Aug. 11, 2025. Helo Integration acclimates MWDs to helicopters in the event that handlers and dogs have to fly out for explosive detection support. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kendra A. Ransum)

Military Working Dogs - training the nose that knows

U.S. Army Capt. Joshua Middleton (right), veterinary commanding officer, instructs Senior Airmen Joseph Silva (left) and Alexandria Molloy (center), both 5th Security Forces Squadron (5SFS) military working dog (MWD) handlers, on Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) procedures for dogs on a canine manikin at Lake Sakakawea, North Dakota, Aug. 12, 2025. The non-veterinary 5SFS MWD handlers were taught emergency care techniques to mitigate casualties in the field, including the lives of their dogs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kendra A. Ransum)

Military Working Dogs - training the nose that knows

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kyle Arnett, 5th Security Forces Squadron (5SFS) military working dog handler, and Pepino, 5SFS military working dog (MWD), train on tracking scenarios at Lake Sakakawea, North Dakota, Aug. 12, 2025. The 5SFS MWD handlers trained with their dogs to reinforce job-related behaviors, ensuring the dogs respond appropriately to any scenario. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kendra A. Ransum)

Military Working Dogs - training the nose that knows

Kolbe Bach, Minot Police Department officer, serves as a bite decoy for Pepino, 5th Security Forces Squadron (5SFS) military working dog, at Lake Sakakawea, North Dakota, Aug. 12, 2025. Minot Air Force Base’s 5SFS and the Minot PD conducted water confidence training for the dogs, getting them familiarized with chasing a target into water if necessary. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kendra A. Ransum)

Military Working Dogs - training the nose that knows

Senior Airman Demonte Blackmon, 5th Security Forces Squadron (5SFS) military working dog (MWD) handler, and MMagoo, a 5SFS MWD, conduct training lane procedures at the Law Enforcement Training Grounds in Minot, North Dakota, Aug. 13, 2025. Training lanes are MWD procedures which train the dogs on how to identify explosives by smell. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kendra A. Ransum)

Military Working Dogs - training the nose that knows

Djego, 5th Security Forces Squadron military working dog (MWD), smells a sample of an improvised explosive device at the Law Enforcement Training Grounds in Minot, North Dakota, Aug. 13, 2025. The training imprints the MWD with the smell of improvised explosive devices such as triacetone triperoxide, erythritol tetranitrate and hexamethylene triperoxide diamine. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kendra A. Ransum)

Military Working Dogs - training the nose that knows

Published Aug. 18, 2025
By Senior Airman Kendra A. Ransum
5th Security Forces Squadron

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Senior Airman Ryan Faulk, 5th Security Forces Squadron (5SFS) military working dog handler, and Manson-Pogo, a 5SFS military working dog, climb into a UH-1N Iroquois at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Aug. 11, 2025. The dogs boarded and unboarded the helicopter as part of Helo Integration training with the 54th Helicopter Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kendra A. Ransum)