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LAJES FIELD, Azores, Portugal: More than 2,000 military working dogs currently serve at military bases around the world. But for the 65th Security Forces Squadron at Lajes Field, their hearts belong to two of those dogs.
Dan and Rex, both adult German Shepherds, arrived at Lajes Field straight from the 120-day rigorous training program at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. After completing the school, Dan and Rex are able to sniff out explosives and narcotics, as well as help their handlers control potentially dangerous situations.
“The dogs are a huge intimidation. People know how well police dogs are trained and what they're capable of, for the most part,” said Staff Sgt. Jeremy Nordlund, Rex's handler.
“They've seen it on Cops and on TV,” he said. “I know I don't have to chase anyone down. I just say a couple words and send him, and then worry about getting that individual medical attention.”
Sergeant Nordlund works with two other handlers at Lajes Field to train and handle both Dan and Rex. Like the handlers, each dog has a unique personality. Their acute sense of smell and hearing enables them to protect Lajes Field in a way their human counterparts can't always do.
Military working dogs around the world put their lives on the line every day for service members. In fact, a few hundred military working dogs serve with coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. The handlers at Lajes Field value the piece of mind their four-legged partners provide everyday.
“Personally I feel more secure with a dog than anybody else.” said Staff Sergeant Michael Robinson, Dan's handler. “I know a lot of people I work with feel more secure with having the dogs at the base. And when we go out on patrol, I feel more secure with the dog there.”
Dan and Rex are all business; they'll continue serving in the Air Force until around age 12 or 13. After military working dogs are retired from the force, many of their current and past handlers attempt to adopt them as household pets, Sergeant Robinson said. But, because of hip and leg problems that result from years of tireless commitment to their handlers and the Air Force, some of the the dogs will have to be put down.
