FORT SILL, Oklahoma (July 26, 2018) -- Basic combat trainees took a unique opportunity to work with a K-9 unit during their final field training exercise July 18, at the Master Sgt. Roy Benavidez Training Area here.
About 250 trainees from D Battery, 1st Battalion, 79th Field Artillery worked with Fort Sill 902nd Military Police Detachment dog handlers and their military working dogs (MWD) , as they performed patrols at Liberty City.
"During the previous week, trainees went through robust training, such as reacting to contact and indirect fire. Today's training focused on combining our FTX with man's best friend: military working dogs," said Capt. Jean Tomte, D/1-79th FA commander. "I wanted the trainees to experience another facet of military training."
Working through a 95-degree morning heat, dog handler Spc. Gregory Grubbs and his partner Ash, a 5-year-old Belgian Malinois, patrolled with squads of trainees, as they searched for insurgents near a village.
In one combat scenario, Grubbs and Ash patrolled with groups of about 14 trainees, a squad. The K-9 unit was there to sniff out roadside bombs, terrorists or anything else that might hurt the squad. Once Ash found an explosive, Grubbs reported the information to the squad leader, who initiated actions to deal with the obstacle. In another dismounted patrol, trainees reacted to contact with the enemy and the ensuing firefight.
"We're getting trainees acclimated to working with military working dogs because we are an asset that's used a lot in deployed environments," Grubbs said. Soldiers who understand the capabilities of a MWD unit operate better when deployed with them.
902nd MP DETACHMENT
The 902nd trains with basic combat trainees about once a month, Grubbs said.
Several Soldiers, and several dogs at the 902nd train for a variety of missions all over the installation every day, Grubbs said. "Anything can happen at any place, so we try and train anywhere we could possibly get called to."
Training also includes sniffing for explosives, and seeking and apprehending suspects, Grubbs said. And handlers and their dogs go TDY to work with the Secret Service to aid with that agencies responsibilities of security.
Military working dogs are considered a psychological deterrent both at Fort Sill, and in a deployed environment, he said. A dog's presence can be very intimidating to a potential perpetrator.
"The capabilities of military working dogs are amazing," he said. "They help save lives. It's a hard thing putting a dog's life on the line, but they are saving Soldiers' lives every day."
Early in the BCT training, Grubbs said it was going well.
"The first squad was very communicative, and receptive to the suggestions I was giving," he said. "They did really good."
1st Sgt. Mica Snell, D/1-79th FA, said this was the first time his battery worked with the K-9 unit, and that the MWD event enhances the experience of basic combat training.
"It shows the trainees how the rest of the Army has more combat enablers and multipliers (like dogs) than just squads," Snell. "The more exposure we can give them in basic combat training, the easier it will be in the future for them to adapt."
He added that once the trainees graduate and become Soldiers, they may work with MWDs during deployments.
The training was realistic and relevant in preparation for deployments, Tomte said.
"We train as we fight," Tomte said. "One of the trainees might end up deploying, and use the tactics he or she learned today."
Snell said the battery plans on incorporating regular K-9 training into its schedule.
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