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5th Air Force

Historical Military Working Dog certification

U.S. Air Force Col. Jason Kane, second from the right, 18th Mission Support Group commander, greets Staff Sgt. Jakob Meaney, right, 18th Security Forces Squadron military working dog trainer, who helped organize the first civilian guard MWD handler certification at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 3, 2022. MWD handlers attend a three month specialized school in Texas, where they learn how to be MWD handlers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cesar J. Navarro)

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Historical Military Working Dog certification

Hank, 18th Security Forces Squadron military working dog, stands attentively as his handler Shitetsu Hirata, 18th Security Forces Squadron civilian guard, works to guide him while searching a room at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 3, 2022. Hirata is the first CG to be fully certified as a MWD handler at Kadena Air Base, deepening the interoperability between the U.S. and Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cesar J. Navarro)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Historical Military Working Dog certification

Hank, 18th Security Forces Squadron military working dog, hops on a counter to get a better sniff as his handler Shitetsu Hirata, 18th SFS civilian guard, observes him during a bomb detection certification at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 3, 2022. During the certification, Hirata and Hank searched indoors and outdoors in front of leadership for simulated bombs planted in different areas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cesar J. Navarro)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Historical Military Working Dog certification

Shitetsu Hirata, 18th Security Forces Squadron civilian guard, guides Hank, his military working dog, through a church as leadership watches them during a bomb detection certification at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 3, 2022. Instead of treats and food, toys and playful interaction are used as rewards for MWDs who do a good job. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cesar J. Navarro)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Historical Military Working Dog certification

Shitetsu Hirata, 18th Security Forces Squadron civilian guard, allows Hank, his military working dog, to complete a bomb detection certification outside of a church at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 3, 2022. Hirata was sent to Texas for 3 months to train at a specialized school for MWD handlers, where he received the top dog award at the end of the course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cesar J. Navarro)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Historical Military Working Dog Certification

Hank, 18th Security Forces Squadron military working dog, sits down to signal that he has sniffed out a simulated bomb to his handler Shitetsu Hirata, 18th SFS civilian guard, at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 3, 2022. During the certification, Hirata and Hank searched indoors and outdoors in front of leadership for simulated bombs planted in different areas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cesar J. Navarro)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Historical Military Working Dog certification

Shitetsu Hirata, 18th Security Forces Squadron civilian guard, gives water to Hank, his military working dog, before commencing a bomb detection certification in front of leadership at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 3, 2022. Hirata was sent to Texas for 3 months to train at a specialized school for MWD handlers, where he received the top dog award at the end of the course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cesar J. Navarro)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Historical Military Working Dog Certification

Shitetsu Hirata, right, 18th Security Forces Squadron civilian guard, salutes U.S. Air Force Col. Jason Kane, left, 18th Mission Support Group commander, to finish his military working dog certification at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 3, 2022. Hirata is the first CG to be fully certified as a MWD handler at Kadena Air Base, deepening the interoperability between the U.S. and Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cesar J. Navarro)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Historical Military Working Dog Certification

Hank, 18th Security Forces Squadron military working dog, sits down to signal that he has sniffed out a simulated bomb to his handler Shitetsu Hirata, 18th SFS civilian guard, at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 3, 2022. During the certification, Hirata and Hank searched indoors and outdoors in front of leadership for simulated bombs planted in different areas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cesar J. Navarro)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Historical Military Working Dog certification

Hank, 18th Security Forces Squadron military working dog, hops on a counter to get a better sniff as his handler Shitetsu Hirata, 18th SFS civilian guard, observes him during a bomb detection certification at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 3, 2022. During the certification, Hirata and Hank searched indoors and outdoors in front of leadership for simulated bombs planted in different areas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cesar J. Navarro)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Historical Military Working Dog certification

Hank, 18th Security Forces Squadron military working dog, stands attentively as his handler Shitetsu Hirata, 18th Security Forces Squadron civilian guard, works to guide him while searching a room at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 3, 2022. Hirata is the first CG to be fully certified as a MWD handler at Kadena Air Base, deepening the interoperability between the U.S. and Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cesar J. Navarro)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Historical Military Working Dog certification

Shitetsu Hirata, 18th Security Forces Squadron civilian guard, allows Hank, his military working dog, to complete a bomb detection certification outside of a church at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 3, 2022. Hirata was sent to Texas for 3 months to train at a specialized school for MWD handlers, where he received the top dog award at the end of the course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cesar J. Navarro)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Historical Military Working Dog certification

Shitetsu Hirata, 18th Security Forces Squadron civilian guard, guides Hank, his military working dog, through a church as leadership watches them during a bomb detection certification at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 3, 2022. Instead of treats and food, toys and playful interaction are used as rewards for MWDs who do a good job. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cesar J. Navarro)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Historical Military Working Dog certification

Shitetsu Hirata, 18th Security Forces Squadron civilian guard, gives water to Hank, his military working dog, before commencing a bomb detection certification in front of leadership at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 3, 2022. Hirata was sent to Texas for 3 months to train at a specialized school for MWD handlers, where he received the top dog award at the end of the course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cesar J. Navarro)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Historical Military Working Dog certification

U.S. Air Force Col. Jason Kane, second from the right, 18th Mission Support Group commander, greets Staff Sgt. Jakob Meaney, right, 18th Security Forces Squadron military working dog trainer, who helped organize the first civilian guard MWD handler certification at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 3, 2022. MWD handlers attend a three month specialized school in Texas, where they learn how to be MWD handlers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cesar J. Navarro)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Historical Military Working Dog Certification

Published May 18, 2022
By Airman 1st Class Cesar J. Navarro
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --

Historical Military Working Dog certification

Historical Military Working Dog certification

Historical Military Working Dog certification

Historical Military Working Dog certification

Historical Military Working Dog certification

Historical Military Working Dog Certification

Historical Military Working Dog certification

Historical Military Working Dog Certification

Historical Military Working Dog Certification

Historical Military Working Dog certification

Historical Military Working Dog certification

Historical Military Working Dog certification

Historical Military Working Dog certification

Historical Military Working Dog certification

Historical Military Working Dog certification