We were supposed to start by visiting Holland Military Working Dog Hospital first. That didn't pan out for operational reasons, but we did learn that this is a Level Two Trauma Center and dogs are brought from all over to be treated here. The Major giving us this part of the tour said this hospital is known as the "Wilford Hall of Veterinary Medicine". Air Force folks will get that reference as a very high standard of care. He showed us around the training kennel, vast buildings full of dogs in their pens. At any given time they have over 900 in the kennels and they graduate about 300 per year. That's over $500,000 a year in dog food! The dogs go to all the branches of DoD as well as other governmental agencies. They are usually dual trained in Detection [narcotics, explosives, etc] and Patrol. Patrol is usually what we think of in the military role. Major G then took us to the whelping facility where they breed some of their own dogs in addition to purchasing them on the free market. Chief Doc and Senior Hal may act like tough guys, but put a six week old puppy in their arms and you get a different story!
Next we drove to the TSA K9 training buildings. These dogs are solely trained to detect explosives. The training areas are set up like airports, with courtesy counters, uncomfortable chairs, and people of all types and with all kinds of carry on items. Yes, these folks get paid to sit in an airport from 0630 to 1430 every day. They must like the job because the ones I talked to had all been doing it for several years. I spend enough time in airports so I think I'll pass on this as my next career. From here, we drove to the 802 SFS MWD Kennel. These Security Forces members and their dogs are actually guarding Lackland and the surrounding facilities. They have all been assigned to the current wars and they bring practical, real world experience to their daily jobs. After a tour of the facility, Tarzan and his handler showed us how to run the obstacle course and how to interact with a potential suspect....yes, the suspect with the padded jacket! I took some videos and hope to get those posted down the road. I'll get that link in here eventually.
We had a nice lunch at the Club and rounded out our day visiting the training squadrons. I still recall being a part of the 3703rd, Flight 726, number G16 [G for Guard because we weren't allowed to have just a number like our active duty counterparts!] a LOT of years ago. A memory like that is odd, since most days I can't remember what I had for breakfast the day before! But I knew it was across the street from a static B-52...We eventually did see it but it isn't in use anymore. It's slated to be torn down later this year.
Some of the old Squadrons are still in use so we toured the 324th Training Squadron. Yes, it was EXACTLY as it was those many years ago. And I do mean exactly. Mama was with us on this portion of the tour and she was giving me the eye wondering if I was going to need to be smacked around and brought back to NOW. Afterward we went to the newly constructed 320th Training Squadron. Talk about state of the art. The Charge of Quarters not only has electronic capability to see anywhere in the facility but also to hear anything. Trainees are on the buddy system and if they leave the building for an appointment, etc, they are essentially electronically tracked and required to call in every two hours. If they miss that call in, heaven help them when they do call! It's about safety and security and I applaud these measures.
All of the officers and airmen we encountered today are combat veterans and they are back here training the new generation of Airmen. They "get it" and they live patriotism. They said to a person they signed up to serve their country. Period. End of story. They pride themselves on leaving a legacy that not only they can be proud of, but also creating a future that each Trainee-turned-Airman can be proud of!
This has inspiration written all over it! This is the "overhang" training area for the new squadrons!
Only a very small portion of the MANY kennel buildings at the training area.
These containers hold a few months' worth of Science Diet Dog Food. I asked if I could have a sample for Mama. I was told I could have a sample if I ate it in front of them but nothing for a civilian dog.
Tough guys holding six week old puppies....
TSA explosives training in the mock airport
Another TSA mock airport area
Tarzan--King of all he surveyed!
The "old style" Squadron. Mama is sitting at the bed area that I slept in as "Squad Leader 3". I do mean it when I say NOTHING has changed in these dorms. There is one interesting addition however. That black case to the left of Mama under the bed? It's a rifle case containing an M4 rifle. No firing pin but otherwise completely functional. The NEW Air Force Trainee learns to be a warrior from Day 1 and takes this everywhere.
The lockers haven't changed either. The Trainees do get a nice book explaining how to do everything...as I recall I had a very loud person politely telling me how to do that. Notice the white items in the locker. Those are gym socks. Everything is rolled now...socks, T-shirts, underwear. There are no more folded six inch squares in the new Air Force. The @#%@^ lock is still on the bottom drawer however! BTW, this is a smiling MTI TSgt A. He wasn't smiling when he entered that laundry room.
The VERY brand new dorm! Similar in some respects but notice that the wall locker has an inset to secure the Trainee's rifle. This dorm was empty but MTI Shy was going to pick up a new flight at 2100 tonight. It won't look like this for long.
Stay hydrated! Trainees no longer get canteens. They are issued water bottles and expected to use the hydration stations in the new dorms.
Here's a nifty poster in the bathroom teaching the troops about hydration....
I found the 3703rd BMTS! It's not the best photo. I was in stopped traffic but it did bring back memories. I'm actually glad I was able to see this now, especially with it's impending destruction. Built in the 1960s, this is truly the end of an era.
The Old School Overhang, but still in use. It sure is different from the new overhang training areas for the Airmen of the 21st Century!
