Edwards AFB News

Military dog handler, K-9 form stronger bond for deployment

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Stacy Sanchez
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  A military working dog handler with the 95th Security Forces Squadron here along with his K-9 companion are about to grow an even stronger bond as they both prepare for deployment. 

Tech. Sgt. John Ricci and his K-9, Eddy, are trained to detect narcotics and explosives at Edwards. 

Servicemembers like Sergeant Ricci attend an 11-week long Military Working Dog handler's course at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, where they meet their K-9, who also goes through a 90-day training. This is where they begin to form their bond with one another. 

Sergeant Ricci learned how to control his K-9 and observe his K-9's behaviors while at Lackland. 

"Training a dog is all upon the K-9 and the handler," Sergeant Ricci said. "The attitude of the dog and the knowledge of the handler play a big part in training." 

Sergeant Ricci said good techniques to training a K-9 is making it fun for the dog. 

"Always try to keep a K-9 in a happy atmosphere," he said. "Most of the stuff we teach them is a game. When they do detection, it's just dogs having fun finding the smell. They know if they find the smell, they are going to get a reward afterward." 

Sergeant Ricci said Eddy has difficulties working for other people. He said it takes a couple months for him to adjust. 

"Once Eddy and I started to build our bond and that friendship with one another we started to work great together," he said. "So its hard for him to work with someone else." 

Sergeant Ricci said his and Eddy's bond is going to get even stronger as they head out to Iraq in the near future. 

"He is going to have to rely on me -- and me on him -- while we are out there so we both come back home safely," Sergeant Ricci said. 

Senior Airman James Maloy, another military working dog handler with the 95th SFS, came back from a deployment in Iraq recently and said the best part about being downrange was knowing he had Haro, a 72-pound German shepherd there, to back him up. 

"The best part about my job is the companionship between me and my furry friend, Haro," Airman Maloy said. "I just got back from Iraq, and I had to give up Haro, who I have had for a year, to another handler here getting ready for another deployment. I was able to grow a great bond with Haro." 

Airman Maloy said the best part of the Edwards K-9 unit is the big brotherhood. 

"We work great together because we know we are a vital asset to the mission and to ensuring that the base is secure." 

Sergeant Ricci said the best part of his job is working with an animal all day. 

"If we are on base or downrange, I know Eddy will always be there to help me catch the bad guy," Sergeant Ricci said. "I know my dog Eddy will not think twice about defending me."