Military Working Dog Team Support Association visits 6th Security Forces K-9 unit

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Anna-Marie Wyant
  • 927th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Five members of the Military Working Dog Team Support Association visited the 6th Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dogs section here today. The MWDTSA members toured the K-9 training facility and kennels and watched a demonstration of how the dogs are used to help catch criminals and enemies and find explosives or narcotics.

MWDTSA is an organization that supports Military Working Dogs and handlers by sending care packages with snacks, toys, and more to deployed service members and their canine partners. The nonprofit organization also educates the public about MWDs' missions and helps retired dogs get adopted by suitable owners.

"We support both sides of the leash," said Dixie J. Whitman, the co-founder and president of MWDTSA, which was officially created in 2006.

Mrs. Whitman did just that when she visited today, bringing a box full of MWDTSA T-shirts for the handlers and a bag of chew toys for the dogs. This was the first time Mrs. Whitman, who lives in Canton, Ga., had visited MacDill. Both sides of the leash greatly appreciated the visit and the gifts.

Staff Sgt. Reginald V. Overstreet, a trainer with the 6th SFS, showed the visitors special gear and equipment used to train the dogs and explained various procedures on obtaining, training and adopting MWDs. He said he enjoyed having MWDTSA there to see the demonstration and learn about his unit's unique mission.

"It builds our relationship with the community," Sergeant Overstreet said of the visit. "They send support for us down-range, so we're glad to do this for them."

Staff Sgt. Jeremy J. Stranges, NCOIC of the MWD section, gave the group a tour of the dogs' kitchen and kennels. He also voiced his appreciation for the MWDTSA's support.

"We cannot tell you how much this means to us and our guys overseas," Sergeant Stranges said.

The 6th SFS has 11 MWDs altogether; two are narcotics-detecting dogs, while the rest are explosives-detecting dogs. Three of the dogs are currently deployed.

MWDTSA has approximately 180 members nationwide. To learn more about this organization, visit http://mwdtsa.org.