b'ensuring seamless communication between Naval Facilities Command, Public Health Command Atlantic, and the NASPax River chains of command.MA1 Houseknecht and MA2 Gentry went in day-to-day once the final Scope of Work was put into place, said Ciancarelli. I went checked in at least monthly to quarterly usually during my military sanitation inspections; I have to say we would probably still be working on this if it were not for MA1 Houseknechts drive and support from his command to have this completed.By reinstating a MWD kennel at Pax River, the installation security team not only improved its overall readiness, but also cut logistical costs associated with housing and transporting the dogs off site. The increased boarding also allows for four additional MWD teams to support regional security operations.The NAS Pax River kennel covers the South Potomac Region, and having the Pax River kennel operational with the additional four MWD teams greatly enhances our response time and security posture, said Houseknecht. The Military Working Dog (MWD) handlers of NAS Patuxent River pose with their dogs outside The specifications of the facilities necessary to house thethe new Pax River military working dog (MWD). Photo by Chief Petty Officer Patrick GordonMWDs denote the highly specialized nature of their trainingFour-Legged Troops: and handling. The MWDs and their handlers work diligently Test Your Military Dog Knowledgein the detection of explosives, narcotics, and intruders.MWDs come trained when reporting to their duty stationOnce known as war dogs, military working dogs but need advanced their training to obtain their certificationserve in all branches of the military to scout, detect before gaining authorization to search on base, saidand protect. How much do you know about theseHouseknecht. This timeline is completed in no more than four-legged service members?six months. Our teams gained their certification in two Q1: About how many dogs serve in the U.S. military?monthsrecord time. A lot of hard work, long days, and sweatA1,600went into the success achieved by our junior handlers. B1,100The health of the dogs is also a primary concern as well.C1,600MWD veterinary care, including housing, ensures health read- D1,100iness in the event of deployment needs. Prior to leaving the DOD MWD Veterinary Service Dog Center at Lackland Q2: When did dogs officially start serving inAir Force Base, Texas, they will receive a battery of preventativeU.S. military conflicts?medical procedures, microchipping, and a tattoo number. TheARevolutionary Wardogs are then seen monthly by an 68T Animal Care SpecialistBWW Ifor weighing and body conditioning scoring with preventativeCWW IImedicine checks where flea, tick, heartworm and internal DVietnam Warparasite treatment is administered.Q3: True or False: All military working dogs are male.Any concerns about the MWDs are relayed from handlersATrueto the 68T and then to the Veterinary Corps Officer responsibleBFalsefor the kennel, said Ciancarelli. MWDs are seen by a VCOat least semiannually for their Semiannual Physical Exam. AtQ4: Where do almost all military working dogs least once a year for dogs younger than 8 they will receive receive their initial training?full blood screening, rabies tittering, tick-borne illness, andAFort Meade, Marylandheart worm screening. They will also receive their vaccinesBJoint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texasyearly as well. All records will be inspected by a VCO atCAt the base wherw they will serveleast semiannually to ensure that any ongoing problems areDA third party company trains military dogs addressed and that the dogs are able to work unimpeded.at an undisclosed location.Quarterly they will also go to the kennel to perform a kennel inspection and/or training for the handlers for working dogQ5: What is one breed that typically doesnt pass care. This is especially emphasized at Pax River due to their muster for military service?distance from a military veterinarian.J AGreat DaneFor more information on NAS Patuxent River, visit BGerman Shepherdwww.facebook.com/NASPaxRiver, www.twitter.com/ CBelgian MalinoisNASPaxRiverPAO , and https://ndw.navy.afpims.mil/ DLabrador RetrieverInstallations/NAS-Patuxent-River/ continued on page 40Thank You For Your Service Military Appreciation Resource Magazine 21'