Afghan K-9 program saves lives, improves security

According to a NATO news report, an impressive K-9 (canine) program which is being used to save the lives of Afghans has been built in Afghanistan’s Mine Detection and Dog Center (MDC) in Kabul. Improvised explosive devices (IED) and landmines are a major threat in Afghanistan, and so Afghan specialists have trained dogs to “search for a wide variety of explosives, different chemicals that make explosives, and parts used in making improvised bombs and land mines.” The dogs are also being used for drug detection, riot control and border security.

There are three phases to the program. “During the first phase, the handlers are in the classrooms learning about narcotics, IED identification, mine detection, and riot control, while the K-9s are going through a socialization phase. In the second phase, the handlers are married up with their K-9’s and go through a familiarization course on obedience, learning the nuances of their individual K-9, learning to control the K-9 with a leash, and general maintenance of their dog. The third phase is where the handler and dogs are trained in the various scents of their specialty such as narcotics or explosives, and then the handler and K-9 are certified as a team.”

A senior instructor in the program was quoted as saying, “I take great pride in this because I am saving Afghan lives when our dogs are successful and they find the mines. They are saving Afghan lives today, and Afghan lives in the future.”

September 3, 2010 · admin · No Comments
Posted in: Security in Afghanistan

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