Maj. Garon Shelton, 92nd Security Forces Squadron commander, pins the Sercurity Forces shield on Military Working Dog Dakota, escorted by Staff Sgt. David Newell, 92nd SFS MWD handler, at a retirement ceremony in honor of Dakota at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., July 10, 2012. Dakota served as an Explosive Detector Dog and has deployed six times as well as provide support for multiple missions with the U.S. Secret Service, coalition and mulitnational forces. (U.S Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Michael Means)
Maj. Garon Shelton, 92nd Security Forces Squadron commander, pins the Sercurity Forces shield on Military Working Dog Golf, escorted by Staff Sgt. Meredith Clement, 92nd SFS MWD handler, during a retirement ceremony at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., July 10, 2012. Golf has deployed in support and Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom as well as provided support to the United States Customs and Border Protection. (U.S Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Michael Means)
Maj. Garon Shelton, 92nd Security Forces Squadron commander, holds a certificate of appreciation, presented to Military Working Dogs Dakota and Golf at a retirement ceremony in honor of their service at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., July 10, 2012. Dakota, assigned to Fairchild for eight years, and Golf, assigned to Fairchild for nine, were both recognized for their long list of achievements while serving in the military. (U.S Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Michael Means)
Staff Sgt. David Newell, 92nd Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, relinquishes the leash and absolute control of MWD Dakota to Staff Sgt. Jose Cadena, 92nd SFS commander, during a retirement ceremony at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., July 10, 2012. Cadena and Dakota have delpoyed together twice and have built a strong bond during their time together. (U.S Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Michael Means)
Staff Sgt Meredith Clement, 92nd Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, relinquishes the leash and absolute control of MWD Golf to Lt. Col. Wendy Sherman, 92nd Air Refueling Wing staff judge advocate, during a retirement ceremony at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., July 10, 2012. Golf served at Fairchild for nine years and has been adopted into Sherman's family as a household companion. (U.S Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Michael Means)
by Staff Sgt. Michael Means
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
7/12/2012 - 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs -- They might walk on four legs, but they are Airmen nonetheless. Military working dogs Dakota and Golf were officially retired from duty in a ceremony at the kennel July 10.
"These wonderful dogs can now have a well-deserved retirement with a loving family," said Maj. Garon Shelton, 92nd Security Forces Squadron commander. "In retirement, our noble military working dogs merit the same quality of love and respect they received during their honorable years of service."
Dakota, a 10-year-old Belgian malinois, served at Fairchild for eight years as an explosive detection dog. Golf, an 11-year-old German shepherd, served here for nine years as a narcotics detection dog.
During their time in the Air Force, the dogs accomplished a long list of achievements. Dakota deployed six times, as well as provided support for multiple missions with the U.S. Secret Service, coalition and multinational forces. Golf deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, as well as provided support to the United States Customs and Border Protection at Spokane International Airport.
The MWD team trains and deploys dogs to assist military operations in all areas, from sniffing out improvised explosive devices to finding illegal drugs.
All MWDs in use today are paired with a dog handler. The two will typically work together for at least a year and sometimes longer.
When the time to part comes, it's hard on both the dog and the handler. Staff Sgt. Jose Cadena, 92nd SFS MWD handler, took the retirement as an opportunity to take Dakota home. Dakota and Cadena have deployed with each other twice and have built a strong bond during their time together.
"We train together, we deploy together and we rely on these dogs to keep us safe," Cadena said. "Dakota is family to me and I'm happy to take her home with me."
