Thrown To The Dogs At Dyess: Not As Bad As You Think

Forbes

08-04-2025

Fire, a USAF patrol dog, has his way with Forbes writer Jim Clash, Dyess AFB, Abilene, Texas, March 28, 2025.
As part of my five-day immersion into Dyess AFB operations in Abilene, Texas, last month, I visited the MWD (Military Working Dog) facility, a restricted area where USAF patrol dogs are raised and trained. I was there and experienced up close and personal what it would be like on the other end of a real canine attack.
First, we sat down with SSgt Ricardo Roque, MWD Trainer, 7th Security Forces Squadron; SSgt Lucas Johnson, MWD Handler, 7th SFS, and SSgt Juan Lopez, Kennel Master, 7th SFS, for background on how the dogs are managed. Each animal is unique, we were told, with different personalities and temperaments. Most are German Shepherds, but sometimes other breeds are trained, too.
Then it was over to the kennel where the dogs are kept. The first one, Amon was wild, constantly running in tight, aggressive circles in his cage, barking loudly. Nepal calmly looked me over with no expression or sound when we visited his cage, a little eerie. Still another, a lab named Baker, seemed friendly, but I was warned that, under no circumstances, should I attempt to pet him through the cage wire, even though he looked passive.
Next, it was outside to a wide barbed-wire fenced-in area where the dogs exercise and run off energy. I was fitted with a metal-lined jacket. No head or face covering? I was assured that the dogs are trained only to clamp onto the arms of bad actors, which I was about to be. Then I was introduced to the dog I was about to face: Fire. He was medium-sized, with a no-nonsense face.
Forbes writer Clash fitted with a metal-lined jacket by SSgt Lopez in advance of a patrol dog attack, Dyess AFB, Abilene, Texas, March 28, 2025.
As a demonstration, Fire was let off of his leash. He sprinted, catching Johnson some 30 yards away, grabbing his arm and quickly throwing him to the ground. Fire firmly stayed clamped to Johnson's arm, and did not let go until given a release command. Impressive.
I was up next as the Guinea pig. What was I thinking? Honestly, part of me wondered what I was doing there. I had once tried bull-fighting with the Professional Bull Riders and ended up with three cracked ribs. After that experience, I never trusted wild animals. They are too unpredictable.
Before I knew it, though, Fire was given the attack command and immediately charged. He bit hard into my right arm. It didn't hurt so much, as the metal lining in the jacket kept the dog's teeth from penetrating my skin, but the intense jaw pressure sure got my attention. Like with Johnson, Fire hung on firmly until given the command to stand down, which he did immediately. Whoa, what an experience. Respect.
(L-R) SSgt Roque, Forbes writer Clash, SSgt Lopez, SSgt Johnson, and Fire, MWD facility, Dyess AFB, Abilene, Texas, March 28, 2025.
Depending upon their health, these dogs can be in active service for as long as 10 years, in the U.S. at important political events and such, or in combat conditions overseas. Some are also trained to sniff out explosives and drugs. Many of the animals, believe it or not, when retired are adopted by previous handlers that they were partnered with. Evidently, they make for reliable and sweet pets, extremely loyal to their owners.