OCR Text |
Show HILLTOP TIMES 10 Friday, November 2, 1984 dim) slr lnlw KCE resirdl five-ye- ar Jim Krebs lovingly caresses the dog in return. It's obvious the affection be- tween dog and master is mutual. This relationship carried Mick and Sergeant Krebs through stiff competition recently when they were named the best security police working dog team throughout the Air Force. How did this tandem from the 2849th Security Police Squadron successfully win the tough Air Force Peacekeeper Challenge competition? "Execution was the key," said Sergeant Krebs. "Mick performed his command perfectly. Last year when we placed fourth, I set a goal we'd win first this year. We practiced hard all year and won most of the Utah Police Olympics competition this summer. That outing built our confidence for the command and Air Force competition." A canine team from the Air Force Logistics Command has never placed in the Air Force competition before. Competition includes the obedience routines like left and right faces, marching, obstacle courses, and attacks to the arm and under gunfire. The team also performs during assigned scenarios like searching for rape suspects in buildings and scouting for prowlers in open fields. Mick earned 675 out of 680 points, setting a new Air Force scoring record at the Albuquerque, N.M. competition. During the Peacekeeper Challenge event, teams competed from 10-da- y .ywi Reserves, and one from Great Britain. Sergeant Krebs teamed with Mick about two years ago and before that worked with a patrol dog in Korea for one year. His interest in working with animals began when he was in law enforcement training at Lackland AFB. "They asked for volunteers to work with dogs and gave a demonstration. I've always loved animals, so I was hooked," he said. For pets Sergeant Krebs presently, has a German Shepherd pup and a small Chihuahua Pomeranian. Even though he loves animals, Sergeant Krebs uses firm discipline. "Before they'll work for you, you must build a good rapport with them. Part of that is being strict, but loving them a lot," he explained,, "just like with kids. Mick shows his love by working hard for me and then jumping up, wagging his tail and wanting me to play or pet him. Their whole reward is the praise you give them." Used in bomb searches, Mick is one of seven dogs assigned here to the 2849th SPS. Five others work in narcotic searches, and one is used during regular police patrols. - The patrol team checks unsecure Jyuildings and searches for prowlers. "Dogs work well inside unsecure buildings, " said Sergeant Krebs, "and it's safer than sending in a patrolman. The dogs are also an asset during disturbances. Their presence quickly calms people and makes cooperation better." one-do- dogs, "their whole reward is the praise you give them." German Shepherds are desired for police work because they handle easily and because they have two coats of hair for adapting to colder climates. Security Police dogs are trained and certified in their field of specialty at the Department of Defense's Dog Center, Lackland AFB, Texas. Bomb dogs are the hardest to certify, requiring 95 percent efficiency for three months. Training for drug dogs has dropped from three months to six weeks.-Thtraining at Lackland AFB is.similar to that of the Peacekeeper Challenge competition. Personnel from the 2849th SPS give canine demonstrations at schools and county fairs. "People are impressed with the dogs' abilities," noted Sergeant Krebs. "But, they're also surprised the dog will attack one minute all Air Force commands, the Army, the old German Shepherd, jumps up and licks his master's face with great affection. Sgt. Mick, a Il7i e and then allow petting a few minutes later." The DOD buys dogs from private owners for security police work and feel it's safer for patrolmen with a dog like Mick on the job. one-ma- n g, Story and photo by Jean Williamson WSMW i Public Affairs Office OO-AL- C ij r fj - .,-- , . ! ' I 'I civ S iI J , VI I IIVlvC "V.itN -- tMm sb?J UNCLE SAM WANTS YOUR DOG ' of Defense Dog Center Is looking dogs who want a rewarding career will pay up to $400 for each Department pie or a few good ' V !hi W- - - " the military. . .and one they accept. In mmt&m ' Requirements for recruits are: Predominant German Shepherd, Rottweilers and Bouvier des Flandres 3 years old. male or female At least 22 Inches tall at the shoulder and at least 55 pounds four-legge- , d 1-- Legal owners consent- .... ' . X W ..x ::-- tv ' x :.x :ix : X xX ;.: x :: x. xx : X ,X:xx x x X ...v xv.;ft xvy X' , IN TEXAS CALL COLLECT: Department of Defense Dbg Center i Lackland AFB Texas r K - . :: X x XvxX; Sgt. Jim Krebs, security police dog handler, shouts commands to his canine partner, Mick, who attacks the arm of A1 C Mark Mox, another security police dog handler. Mick scored higher than any Aif Force dog in the Air Force Peacekeeper Challenge competition. |