Alaska cold doesn’t stop military working dogs

by Air Force Staff Sgt. Robert Barnett
673d Air Base Wing Public Affairs

1/29/2014 - JOINT BASE ELMENDROF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Four paws sank into snow deep enough to bury the boots of the 673d Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dog handler as the pair made their way through the crystallized water to a training facility on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Jan. 23, 2014.

Even in the winter conditions the northern-most state experiences, personnel maintain installation security. But a vital part of the mission is ensuring the canine personnel stay safe and healthy while performing in the often-extreme climates.

"In the winter, we keep the dogs just warm enough that they are comfortable, but not so warm that they don't want to work outside," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Nicholas Woolridge, 673d SFS MWD trainer. "When it's cold enough, we have shorter work cycles. Depending on the temperature, we'll work the dogs for 10 to 15 minutes, let them warm back up, and then take them right back out."

When the dogs need to warm up, the MWD handlers have a trailer with climate controlled kennels. Stepping from a warm kennel onto icy ground sometimes still requires extra protection from the elements.

"Touching the ice gets really cold on the dog's feet," Woolridge said. "When you put your hands on the ice, it's going to burn after a while; it's the same for the dog. Their pads are just as sensitive as our hands. Your dog can suffer from a cold weather injury. Their feet can get too cold, can crack or get cut open on the ice. To combat that, we have a variety of foot protection and other clothes for the dogs."

Going between kennel and the regular operations and training doesn't allow the animals as much exercise as they need to stay healthy, the trainer said.

"We're limited in exercise areas because of the cold weather," said Air Force Master Sgt. Robert Black, 673d SFS kennel master. "We use places like Hangar 5, which is a 24-hour gym. We'll run them around the track in there to keep them exercised and healthy."

"We tend to go [to Hangar 5] during off-duty hours to minimize any interaction or potentially hazardous situations for the dogs or others," Woolridge said. "If we go in the physical training uniform, the dog has to wear a vest that has "police" printed on the side. Yesterday, we went in civilian clothes. We have to be clearly marked as a canine handler--the dog has to be clearly marked."

In a state that once received 62 inches of snow in 24 hours, the security forces mission never stops.

"This way, we provide operations and support for any operation on the installation at a moment's notice, 24 hours a day, seven days a week," Woolridge said.