Sniff it out

The "K-9" Corps, generally German shepherds, are used mostly for routine security. They are often taken on patrol around the base, trained to smell out explosives and used in search and rescue situations.

While they don't hold a gun qualification or a black belt in anything, these dogs have something that the best of the best in the Armed Forces do not - a nose that is significantly more defined.

"There are odors they can smell that we can't. Dogs don't generalize smells. For example, if a human smells a hamburger, they receive the whole smell in general terms. A dog smells the parts of the burger individually - the bun, the condiments and the burger," explained MA2 Angela Watson, one of the dog handlers.

According to "Scent - K-9's Reason for Being" by Detective Steve White and Officer Tim Tieken, "in their training, each dog is taught to pay attention to odors for which he associates negative or positive consequences. This conditions the dog to detect odors the handlers want detected or followed.

The nose knows. Dog Handler MA2 Justin Morris and Military Working Dog Brix, search a building on base as part of their daily duties. Photos by MC2 Monica Nelson

One such odor is that of fear. Apocrine sweat glands trigger emotional responses, such as fear. These are located at the base of hair follicles and tend to be much more odorous than other kinds of sweat.

In March of 1942, military working dogs first entered the service as the Army's "K-9" Corps. During World War II "scout dogs were known to detect the presence of the enemy at distances up to 1,000 yards, long before men became aware of them," reads http://www.militaryworkingdog.com/history/.

Ceasar and Brix, two of the Military Working Dogs (MWDs) stationed at NAS Jax, are frequently taken on patrol around the base and to walk fence lines.

"We sometimes get notification from our dispatchers that an alarm has gone off or a building is left open. Sometimes a person goes missing and they need our dogs, or we might have suspicious vehicle or an unattended package left somewhere," Watson explained. "MWDs are not only used to detect explosives or drugs, but also as physical and visual deterrents in our patrols around base."

Dog Handler MA2 Justin Morris and Military Working Dog Brix, search for a "suspect" during a training session.

In addition to their work, MWDs conduct physical training three times a week and eat a strict diet of Science Diet Active twice a day, determined especially for their metabolic weight by the Army Vet Corps. The dogs also train to hone their skills.

Occasionally they are called to a last minute tasking for the United States Secret Service or a similar outside agency that requests them.

While not a replacement for service members, MWDs offer strengths in areas where humans are limited. In a war against terrorism, any and all strengths available are vital to national security.

MA2 Angela Watson instructors her Military Working Dog Ceasar to check for explosives during a building search on base.

MA2 Angela Watson orders her Military Working Dog Ceasar to apprehend "suspect" MASA Jeremiah Cohoon, who is working on his qualifications to become a dog handler, during one of their training sessions.