Heroes, 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron military working dog, takes a break after some intense training with his handler July 2. The MWD is a vital piece of the security on a military installation whether at home station or deployed. Heroes is deployed from Hill Air Force Base, Utah. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Christopher A. Campbell)

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The wall of heroes is displayed at the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron military working dog flight office July 2. This wall represents all the current and previous MWDs and their handlers who have been deployed to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Christopher A. Campbell)

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2 + 4 = enhanced security

Published July 18, 2013
By Master Sgt. Christopher A. Campbell
386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- The military working dog program trains both the dog and the handler to work as a team for: intruder detection, tracking, locating individuals inside buildings and various substance detections. The MWD teams are attached to several different special operations units routinely conducting outside-the-wire missions. The team can be used for a myriad of functions on the installations as well; they act as a psychological deterrent and force multiplier. The MWD units can get appointed to help the United States Drug Enforcement Agency, U.S. Secret Service, Department of State, Border Patrol and other local civilian law enforcement agencies.