VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. -- U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Cassidy Hunt, 30th Security Forces Squadron military working dog trainer, U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Alejandro Estrada, 30th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, and U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Joseph Merrill, 30th Security Forces Squadron commander, spoke during the retirement ceremony of Military Working Dog Kiru at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Feb. 6, 2026.
MWD Kiru is a German Shephard who was whelped February 1st, 2017. Kiru was then assigned to the 30th Security Forces Squadron Vandenberg Space Force Base, California on May 20th, 2019. Over the years, five handlers have had the privilege of being assigned to MWD Kiru. Over Kiru's career he supported 17 United States Secrete Service Missions supporting the President and Vice President of the United States, Joint Chief of Staff and Foreign Dignitaries. In 2022, Kiru deployed for 6 months to Djibouti, Africa in support of operation ENDURING FREEDOM – HORN OF AFRICA.