Page 12 - Desert Lightning News, Nellis AFB Edition, Sept. 1 2017

12 Desert lightning news s. nevaDa www.aerotechnews.com/nellisafb
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Senior Airman Ryne Wilson, 99th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, and MWD Habo patrol the dorms at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Aug. 7, 2017. Wilson and Habo perform dorm patrols to ensure the safety and security of the Airmen living there.
Habo, 99th Security Force Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.,
Air Force photograph by Airman 1st Class Andrew D. Sarver
Air Force photograph by Airman 1st Class Andrew D.
Senior Airman Ryne Wilson, 99th Security Forces Squadron military working handler, praises MWD Habo during a patrol at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Aug. 7, Praising their dog for exhibiting good behavior is an exceptional way to help b bond between the handler and their dog.
by Airman 1st Class Andrew D. Sarver
Nellis AFB, Nev.
In a small building near the outskirts of Nel- lis Air Force Base resides one of the Air Force’s most unique assets: military working dogs.
Habo, a 7-year-old narcotic detection K-9 is lying on the floor, when a familiar voice from across the room breaks the silence.
“Habo! Who’s a good boy?” asks the voice.
Curious, Habo lifts his head and perks his ears. Again, the voice playfully repeats.
“Who’s a good boy?”
Quickly, Habo rushes to the front door and finds his handler, Senior Airman Ryne Wilson, 99th Security Forces Squadron, who is ready begin his shift at the MWD kennel.
Excited to see his best friend, Wilson spoils Habo with a hug and a little praise to start the day.
Wilson discovered his knack for training dogs before joining the Air Force. In a single night, he taught his beagle half a dozen tricks with just a box of Triscuits. Therefore, when he walked into the local Air Force recruiter’s office, Wilson knew he needed to select a career field that would offer him the opportunity to be an MWD handler. He spent his first few years in security forces working the front gates and then the base defense operations center before getting an opportunity to train for his dream job.
Today, Wilson exercises that passion through one of the most unique partnerships in the Air Force.
“I have the best job in the Air Force, because I get to work with dogs for a living,” said Wilson. “I’m grateful for our trainers and kennel master because they really do test me, which makes me a better handler and Habo a better MWD.”
A mutual bond between a military working dog and a handler requires rigorous training,
communication and per sure to maintain safety Nellis.
Wilson said the bond his dog is crucial to mis dogs have unique and po tect drugs and bombs as suspect.
“K-9s bring a different ment,” said Wilson. “Just is a psychological deterren twice about doing someth
When newly assigned the kennel master and dog
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