VAFB military working dogs verify bomb at local school

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Senior Airman Shawna Richards, a entry controller with the 30th Security Forces Squadron, trains her military working dog, Baiky,on Feb. 26. Security forces train their bomb and drug sniffing dogs to seek out illegal items and potential threats. Handlers prepare the dogs for duty using obstacles designed to simulate real scenarios. Military working dogs have been used by the U.S. armed forces since World War I. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Thomas)

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VAFB military working dogs verify bomb at local school

Published March 11, 2008
By Staff Sgt. Benjamin Rojek
30th Space Wing Public Affairs

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A Vandenberg military working dog team responded to a mutual aid request from the Lompoc Police Department at about 8:35 a.m. March 7.

Lompoc police requested the aid of the 30th Security Forces Squadron after a bomb threat occurred at Lompoc High School.

Two Airmen and one military working dog arrived at the evacuated school shortly after the request. While one Airman acted as a spotter, the MWD team conducted a sweep of the campus. The MWD gave a positive response in two different areas, meaning something was found. The team left the campus and an explosive ordnance team was called.

"We have a very good working relationship with the Lompoc Police Department," said Lt. Col. Antonius Spangler, deputy commander of the 30th SFS. "We are always happy to assist them, especially when a situation arises in which we have capabilities they do not."