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Fairchild Military Working Dog teams respond to bomb threat

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nick J. Daniello
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Fairchild military working dog teams and local Spokane law enforcement agencies responded to an elementary school bomb threat May 23, 2016, in Airway Heights, Washington.

Sunset Elementary School was one of five local Spokane schools that received a robocall, an automated telephone call that delivers a recorded message.

"Hundreds of schools across the United States received bomb threats from 'robocallers,' said Maj. Kevin McMahon, 92nd Security Forces Squadron commander.

According to McMahon, Fairchild's military working dog teams are prepared to respond at a moment's notice on base and in support of local and federal entities.

"Our military working dogs undergo rigorous daily training for situations like this," Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Torocaloyeropoulos, 92nd Security Forces Squadron military working dog kennel master. "And that [training] allows the handlers, as well as the dogs, to prepare the teams for a variety of scenarios that could become the next call."

McMahon also said having a strong partnership with local and federal law enforcement agencies improves our abilities to support and operate together in times of crisis.

"It reinforces Fairchild's partnership with the local community and provides tremendous opportunities to collaborate on training and share experiences that will further enhance our capabilities to support our mission," said Lt. Col. Carolyn Coleman, 92nd Mission Support Group deputy commander.

Fairchild leaders believe the dog teams bring another set of tools to the work bench of the ever-changing Air Force mission and the local community.

"Our military working dog teams are a force multiplier and bring a lot of real-world experience gained through multiple deployments. Fairchild's Airmen are a part of the community, it doesn't just stop at the base perimeter," said McMahon. "The same applies if something happened on Fairchild, we can count on our local partners supporting our ability to ensure our mission continues."