Military working dogs protect Kandahar Airfield

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan – When a human smells a hamburger, they smell a hamburger. When a K-9 (military working dog) smells a hamburger, it smells the meat, ketchup, mustard, pickles, tomato, lettuce and bun.

These extra senses come in handy when the International Security Assistance Force Dutch Force Protection military working dogs and their handlers guard Royal Dutch Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons at Kandahar Airfield – helping keep fighter planes and the airfield safe.

“The F-16 is very important for us to help the guys on the ground, and it is very important that F-16’s are protected by our dogs,” said Sgt. Johan Tuin, Dutch Force Protection K-9 handler.

The Dutch Force Protection soldiers use Belgian Shepherds to guard the flightline at night. The handlers and their canine friends stay alert and patrol the area to make sure nothing happens to the aircraft while they are on the ground.

“Dogs are far more alert then we are,” said 1st Cpl. Sjors Lagerweij, Dutch Force Protection K-9 handler. “They can see more clearly at night and can smell and hear [things from] miles away. At night we can’t see anything, so we pay attention to the dogs. We follow it to whatever it sees; they have really good senses.”

It can be tough work owning a dog, let alone taking care of one in a combat zone. There’s the bathing, cleaning, feeding, barking and the constant need for attention. But for the Dutch Force Protection dog handlers, it’s all part of the job.

“I take him out a lot, give him good food, brush him everyday, brush his teeth, I do sports with him and running,” said Lagerweij, a native of Utrecht, Holland.

The Dutch Force Protection dog handlers said they appreciate having a pet in a combat zone. And even though it’s part of their job to take care of the dog, many form strong bonds with their animals.

“Having a pet makes being in Afghanistan a lot easier,” said Lagerweij. “We are hooked up with them 24/7. We sleep in the same building, we take them everywhere with us–they like it too. They like the attention.”

Military working dogs’ senses are crucial to the mission of ISAF in Afghanistan. If a dog is able to smell the tomato in a hamburger, then he or she is also able to smell an improvised explosive device in the back of an insurgent’s vehicle.

Dutch OMLT trains ANA

TARIN KOWT, Afghanistan – The International Security Assistance Force Dutch Operational Mentor and Liaison Team has been revitalizing the training of ANA personnel in Uruzgan Province since July 22.

The Dutch soldiers have been training the 2nd Kandak, 4th brigade, 205th Corps, Afghan National Army, in light infantry procedures, said the OMLT 2nd in command Dutch Royal Marine Capt. Tim.

“As a Marine it brings me right back to basic infantry skills,” said Tim. “We do basic patrolling, we teach basic patrolling we teach people, and we see the results of what we teach.”

“We try not to teach them too much theory, but in my experience if you keep the lessons practical, they will learn a lot,” added Tim. “Working with the ANA is rewarding, you almost instantly get back what you put in.”

The Dutch are helping ISAF assist the Afghan government in extending and exercising its authority and influence across the country, creating the conditions for stabilization and reconstruction.

“We train with the ANA and try to improve the ANA,” said Tim. “We are trying to build an army that is effective and capable to operate by itself. We are providing security and stability in this region so the people can build up their own country.”

The ISAF OMLT Program is aimed toward developing the ANA. OMLT’s are comprised of 12-19 people who embed with ANA battalions, brigades, garrisons and corps headquarters. The teams deploy for at least six months in order to build enduring relationships with the ANA and maximize mentoring effect.

“It’s a very good program because we need to be trained,” said Brigadier General Abdul Hamid, ANA 4th Brigade commander. “We want to train our soldiers and refurbish our army, we need that very much. They are doing very well and are really happy with our Dutch friends. Our people are very willing to learn more.” 

Hamid said the Dutch are doing a good job and that there is a good relationship between the two countries.

“They are very kind and very nice people,” said Hamid. “I ask all of our friends in all of the countries to help Afghanistan, we are in a very bad situation.”

“We need more ANA soldiers to solve our problem ourselves,” added Hamid. “Our people and our soldiers have knowledge about the territory, about the culture, about the language of our people. The Dutch people have good technology and good technique. If we mix these, it will make us strong.”

Besides training, the Dutch have been living with the ANA and accompanying them on combat missions. Working together while conducting aggressive patrols and defensive work trying to root out the insurgents has led to a close and fruitful partnership.

“Its been a very rewarding period for everyone in the Dutch OMLT,” said Tim. “We have been doing this for two years now and we started with the ANA being nothing more then a bunch of soldiers being in a big pile with one or two officers. The past two years we have evolved them into a grown up battalion, I think we have accomplished that.”