A U.S. soldier with the 10th Special Forces Group and his dog leap off the ramp of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during water training over the Gulf of Mexico as part of exercise Emerald Warrior March 1, 2011.

Military working dog handlers from the 332nd Security Forces Group board a helicopter with their MWDs during training here April 21. The training teaches the handlers and MWDs how to safely and properly enter and exit aircraft, preparing them for future air-assault missions.

Staff Sgt. Philip Mendoza, 332nd Security Forces Group military working dog handler, pets his MWD Rico, wearing "doggles," during training aboard a helicopter here April 21. The training teaches the team how to safely and properly enter and exit aircraft, and prepares it for future air assault missions. Sergeant Mendoza is deployed here from Moody Air Force Base, Ga., and is a native of Lancaster, Texas.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. John Mascolo and military working dog Ajax, both from the 35th Security Forces Squadron, await a helicopter pickup after completing a sweep of a farm outside of Forward Operations Base Normandy, Diyala, Iraq, Feb. 28, 2006, for weapons and items used to make improvised explosive devices.

A military working dog is called upon to attack his handler on the training grounds of Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas. Military working dogs are enrolled in a 60 to 90 day training program where they are taught to detect explosives and drugs. They are also taught deterrence training and how to protect their handler.

Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam security military dog Rossi arrives at the pier where the guided-missile frigate USS Crommelin (FFG 37) is moored to search for hidden improvised explosive devices during exercise Solid Curtain-Citadel Shield 2010. The week-long exercise is the largest anti-terrorism/force protection exercise conducted with all Navy installations and activities in the United States.

Marine Sgt. Jason Law uses both verbal and nonverbal commands to train the dogs.

Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Joshua Lynch subdues MA2 Shane Siewart - both attached to Fleet Activities, Sasebo's Security Department - while Tarzan, a military working dog, looks on during an aggression exercise conducted as part of an annual kennel inspection. This exercise was a portion of an annual kennel inspection conducted to rate Military Working Dogs and their handlers in Japan.

Whiskey relaxes with his handler Tech. Sgt. Chris Beavers at Royal Air Force Feltwell, England. Whiskey is retiring as an explosive protection military working dog because of medical reasons after serving more than six years at RAF Lakenheath, England.

Lieutenant Colonel Mark Henderson, 386th Expeditionary Medical Group dentist, drills a hole in the tooth of Kitti, Air Force military working dog, to perform a root canal with the assistance of Army Capt. Elizabeth Williams, 218th Medical Detachment veterinarian, at an air base in Southwest Asia, Jan. 15. The 386th EMDG and the 218th had to combine their resources experience to make the operation a success.

Jimmy, a Belgian Malinois assigned to the 647th Security Forces Squadron at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, attacks a decoy during the 2010 Hawaiian Islands Working Dog Competition Nov. 19, 2010, at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Jimmy and his handler Staff Sgt. Ricky Renfroe, won the handler protection/aggression and hardest-hitting dog competitions during the week-long event, which served to both reward the dog teams for their hard work throughout the year and bring different services together.

Staff Sgt. Erick Martinez, a military dog handler at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, uses an over-the-shoulder carry with Argo II March 4, 2011. This exercise helps build trust, loyalty, and teamwork for Sergeant Martinez and Argo II, who have only been working together for only two months.

Staff Sgt. Pascual Gutierrez praises and prepares to give Coley a chew toy Feb. 18, 2011, at Forward Operating Base Lagman, Afghanistan, after Coley successfully sniffed out explosive devices during an explosive device detection training session. Sergeant Gutierrez is a military working dog handler and Coley is a military working and patrol explosive detection dog assigned to Combined Team Zabul, Afghanistan. The team is composed of working dogs and dog handlers from the Air Force, Army and Navy who help support the various units at FOB Lagman during patrols and other various missions.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Harvey Holt, from the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, and his military working dog conduct a patrol in Kahn Bani Sahd, Iraq, Feb. 6, 2007. Holt is patrolling with U.S. Army Soldiers from 1st Cavalry Division, 12th Infantry Regiment and Iraqi army soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division.

Staff Sgt. Chris Reynolds, left, Tech. Sgt. Drew Odell, Staff Sgt. Justin Kitts and Staff Sgt. Scott Carpenter go on a training run Aug. 9. The dog handlers are deployed to the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. K-9 units patrol the base and inspect mail, luggage, and vehicles.

Senior Airman Steve Hanks hoists Ada up in the air after she clamped down on the bite sleeve as part of a working dog demonstration Oct. 20, 2010, at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. The demonstration was part of a base tour for high school and college students ready to enlist in the Air Force. Airman Hanks is a military working dog handler with the 55th Security Forces Squadron.

Military working dogs and their handlers wait outside the Military Working Dog Hospital for a check up at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Military working dogs are enrolled in a 60- to 90-day training program where they are taught to detect explosives and drugs. They are also taught deterrence training and how to protect their handler.

Staff Sergeant Rafael Melendez and "Hoston," Joint Security Forces military working dog team, patrols the flightline lined with UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters. Sergeant Holston and the MWD team provide direct support for Joint Task Force ? Bravo and U.S. customs to prevent the illegal use and transport of narcotics through Central America. They also provide explosive detection for the safety of servicemembers, local nationals and visitors to Soto Cano. Hoston specializes as a narcotics dog.