RAFM and RAFL defenders train to fight

48th Security Forces Squadron members arrive at a training exercise April 3, 2014, at Stanford Training Area near Thetford, England. Security forces Airmen must conduct 40 hours of combat-readiness training before attending an additional training course. The training includes land navigation, dismounted patrols and mounted patrols, small team tactics, convoy operations and fire control measures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kate Maurer/Released)

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RAFM and RAFL defenders train to fight

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Steven Culver, 100th Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dog handler, and MWD Luc begin to search a building in a simulated village April 3, 2014, during a training exercise at Stanford Training Area near Thetford, England. Upon entering the building, MWD Luc encountered an obstacle that he overcame to get inside. The MWDs train to overcome many different situations where they may be put in awkward positions or unfamiliar areas. An MWD will gain confidence with these situations the more the team trains. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kate Maurer/Released)

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RAFM and RAFL defenders train to fight

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Steven Culver, 100th Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dog handler, and MWD Luc scan the outside of a building April 3, 2014, to search for any explosive or harmful material during a training exercise at Stanford Training Area near Thetford, England. MWD teams travel around the world to detect potentially harmful and deadly devices meant to cause severe damage. Before an entry team enters a building, MWD teams sweep the entire area to ensure the entry team doesn’t encouter any devices. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kate Maurer/Released)

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RAFM and RAFL defenders train to fight

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Hannah Hobart, right, 100th Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dog kennel master, explains the correct procedure for searching the exterior of a building April 3, 2014, during a training exercise at Stanford Training Area near Thetford, England. After every training session, the MWD team and trainer conduct an after-action report to ensure they met all the training objectivest. It’s important to correct problems in training to ensure the teams achieve the highest degree of excellence in real-world operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kate Maurer/Released)

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RAFM and RAFL defenders train to fight

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Steven Culver, left, 100th Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dog handler, and Airmen from the 48th SFS perform a dismounted patrol April 3, 2014, during a training exercise at Stanford Training Area near Thetford, England. Security forces Airmen must conduct 40 hours of combat-readiness training before attending an additional training course. The training includes land navigation, dismounted patrols and mounted patrols, small team tactics, convoy operations and fire control measures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kate Maurer/Released)

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RAFM and RAFL defenders train to fight

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Steven Culver, 100th Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dog handler, and MWD Luc lead Airmen from the 48th SFS in a dismounted patrol April 3, 2014, during a training exercise at Stanford Training Area near Thetford, England. Because of the exceptional capabilities of an MWD’s olfactory system, it is beneficial to have MWD teams in front of a movement to detect any harmful devices the troops may be heading toward. The teams use the wind to their advantage and work their dogs downwind so they can detect devices as early as possible. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kate Maurer/Released)

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RAFM and RAFL defenders train to fight

U.S. Air Force Senior Airmen Christopher Barile and Christopher Morales, 48th Security Forces Squadron defenders, take their positions as guards for the rest of the Airmen on patrol April 3, 2014, during a training exercise at Stanford Training Area near Thetford, England. Security forces Airmen must conduct 40 hours of combat-readiness training before attending an additional training course. The training includes land navigation, dismounted and mounted patrols, small team tactics, convoy operations and fire control measures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kate Maurer/Released)

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RAFM and RAFL defenders train to fight

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Hannah Hobart, 100th Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dog kennel master, attempts to outrun MWD Luc during a scent scout exercise April 3, 2014, at Stanford Training Area near Thetford, England. MWDs train for different scenarios to prepare for deployments. It’s important for them to obtain keen senses so they can detect suspects in numerous ways including scent, sight or sound within various environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kate Maurer/Released)

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RAFM and RAFL defenders train to fight

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Hannah Hobart, 100th Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dog kennel master, hides from MWD Luc behind a tree during a bite exercise April 3, 2014, at Stanford Training Area near Thetford, England. Handlers train on a regular basis to keep their skills, and those of their dogs, proficient and up to date. Hobart ensured Luc was committed to his bite and had targeted her as a suspect with minimal movements from her as a decoy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kate Maurer/Released)

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RAFM and RAFL defenders train to fight

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Matthew Clark, 100th Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dog handler, and MWD Gina search a building for opposing forces during a training exercise April 11, 2014, at Stanford Training Area near Thetford, England. Building searches are broken down into three components: the start, the search, and the alert and challenge. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kate Maurer/Released)

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RAFM and RAFL defenders train to fight

Military Working Dog Gina flushes out U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Gabriel Santiago, 100th Security Forces Squadron MWD handler, from his concealed hiding spot during a patrol exercise April 11, 2014, at Stanford Training Area near Thetford, England. The decoy trains the MWDs in patrol work and acts as the reward mechanism within training. The decoy or the dog’s handler rewards the MWD when he/she displays positive behaviors as a way to reinforce the dog’s good behavior. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kate Maurer/Released)

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RAFM and RAFL defenders train to fight

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Adam Smith, 100th Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dog handler, and MWD Ajax survey their area of responsibility during a training exercise April 11, 2014, at Stanford Training Area near Thetford, England. Smith and Ajax watched in each direction to detect adversaries from any direction. It’s important for MWDs to maintain keen senses so they can detect suspects in numerous ways including scent, sight or sound within various enviroments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kate Maurer/Released)

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RAFM and RAFL defenders train to fight

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Matthew Clark, 100th Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dog handler, carries MWD Gina during a training exercise April 11, 2014, at Stanford Training Area near Thetford, England. Handlers carry their MWDs in the event of dehydration or injury. During the exercise, Gina was simulated to be dehydrated and Clark carried her to safety. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kate Maurer/Released)

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RAFM and RAFL defenders train to fight

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Matthew Clark, 100th Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dog handler, gains controls of MWD Gina after they subdued U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Gabriel Santiago, 100th SFS MWD handler, during a training exercise April 11, 2014, at Stanford Training Area near Thetford, England. The decoy trains the MWDs in patrol work and acts as the rewarding mechanism within training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kate Maurer/Released)

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RAFM and RAFL defenders train to fight

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Matthew Clark, 100th Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dog handler, apprehends U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Gabriel Santiago, 100th SFS MWD handler, as MWD Gina keeps a close watch during a training exercise April 11, 2014, at Stanford Training Area near Thetford, England. The MWD teams conduct patrol training on a daily basis and incorporate a wide variety of stimuli to ensure the training is as realistic as possible. The MWD teams are instrumental in many areas because of their capability to provide defense for critical buildings and facilities and deliver a psychological deterrent. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kate Maurer/Released)

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RAFM and RAFL defenders train to fight

Published May 16, 2014