Davis-Monthan Air Force Base

A photo of an MWD — MWD: the beast defender

SSilke, a military working dog assigned to the 355th Security Forces Squadron, poses for a photo before beginning a training scenario at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, June 1, 2022. MWDs are trained to detect explosives, take down uncooperative assailants and help protect and defend Air Force installations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kaitlyn Ergish)

A photo of a MWD searching a building — MWD: the beast defender

Frenky, a military working dog assigned to the 355th Security Forces Squadron, performs a building search at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, June 1, 2022. MWDs are trained to detect explosives, take down uncooperative assailants and help protect and defend Air Force installations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kaitlyn Ergish)

a photo of a MWD sniffing a bag — MWD: the beast defender

Frenky, a military working dog assigned to the 355th Security Forces Squadron, performs a building search at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, June 1, 2022. MWDs are trained to detect explosives, take down uncooperative assailants and help protect and defend Air Force installations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kaitlyn Ergish)

MWD: the beast defender

SSilke, a military working dog assigned to the 355th Security Forces Squadron, poses for a photo before beginning a training scenario at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, June 1, 2022. MWDs are trained to detect explosives, take down uncooperative assailants and help protect and defend Air Force installations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kaitlyn Ergish)

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MWD: the beast defender

Frenky, a military working dog assigned to the 355th Security Forces Squadron, performs a building search at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, June 1, 2022. MWDs are trained to detect explosives, take down uncooperative assailants and help protect and defend Air Force installations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kaitlyn Ergish)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
MWD: the beast defender

Frenky, a military working dog assigned to the 355th Security Forces Squadron, performs a building search at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, June 1, 2022. MWDs are trained to detect explosives, take down uncooperative assailants and help protect and defend Air Force installations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kaitlyn Ergish)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

MWD: the beast defender

Published June 3, 2022
By Senior Airman Kaitlyn Ergish
355th Wing Public Affairs

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --

U.S. Air Force 355th Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dog handlers are responsible for caring and training all assigned MWDs to protect and defend military installations by detecting potential explosive ordinances and illegal substances. MWDs are also trained to respond upon command to guard and attack any personnel who pose a threat to the U.S. Air Force and it’s Airmen. The 355th SFS hosts several demonstration events every year to involve the local community as well as joint training with local law enforcement working dogs to enhance MWDs’ experience and environment exposure.

A photo of a K9 handler training an MWD — MWD: the beast defender

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Quinton Lequieu 355th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler and MWD SSilke perform obedience training at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, June 1, 2022. MWD handlers are responsible for caring and training MWDs, with the ultimate goal of preparing them to work side-by-side with an Airman in any situation they may encounter. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kaitlyn Ergish)

A photo of an MWD guarding a perpetrator — MWD: the beast defender

SSilke, a military working dog assigned to the 355th Security Forces Squadron, performs simulated guard and attack training at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, June 1, 2022. MWDs are trained to detect explosives, take down uncooperative assailants and help protect and defend Air Force installations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kaitlyn Ergish)

A photo of an MWD running after a perpetrator — MWD: the beast defender

SSilke, a military working dog assigned to the 355th Security Forces Squadron, performs simulated guard and attack training at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, June 1, 2022. MWDs are trained to detect explosives, take down uncooperative assailants and help protect and defend Air Force installations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kaitlyn Ergish)

a photo of an MWD biting a bite sleeve — MWD: the beast defender

SSilke, a military working dog assigned to the 355th Security Forces Squadron, performs simulated guard and attack training at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, June 1, 2022. MWDs are trained to detect explosives, take down uncooperative assailants and help protect and defend Air Force installations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kaitlyn Ergish)

A photo of an MWD biting a bite sleeve — MWD: the beast defender

Senior Airman Gabriel Higuera, 355th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, poses as a simulated perpetrator while training SSilke, 355 SFS MWD, at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, June 1, 2022. Utilizing a bite suit during training ensures MWDs are fully equipped to protect and attack on command in a real-world environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kaitlyn Ergish)

A photo of an MWD biting a bite sleeve — MWD: the beast defender

SSilke, a military working dog assigned to the 355th Security Forces Squadron, bites simulated perpetrator Senior Airman Gabriel Higuera, 355th SFS MWD handler, during a training scenario at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, June 1, 2022. Utilizing a bite suit during training ensures MWDs are fully equipped to protect and attack on command in a real-world environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kaitlyn Ergish)

A photo of a MWD searching a building — MWD: the beast defender

Frenky, a military working dog assigned to the 355th Security Forces Squadron, performs a building search at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, June 1, 2022. MWDs are trained to detect explosives, take down uncooperative assailants and help protect and defend Air Force installations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kaitlyn Ergish)

a photo of a defender and a dog — MWD: the beast defender

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Quinton Lequieu, 355th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, praises Frenky, 355 SFS MWD, after performing a building search training scenario at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, June 1, 2022. MWDs are trained to detect explosives, take down uncooperative assailants, and help protect and defend Air Force installations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kaitlyn Ergish)

A photo of an MWD — MWD: the beast defender

SSilke, a military working dog assigned to the 355th Security Forces Squadron, poses for a photo before beginning a training scenario at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, June 1, 2022. MWDs are trained to detect explosives, take down uncooperative assailants and help protect and defend Air Force installations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kaitlyn Ergish)