Military Working Dogs test bite in water

Published Sept. 9, 2025
By Courtney Landsberger
72nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --

Military Working Dogs from the 72nd Security Forces Squadron at Tinker Air Force Base traded dry ground for the swimming pool Sept. 3 – 4, pushing their training into uncharted waters.

The specialized water aggression training ensures the squadron’s K-9s are ready to pursue and detain threats wherever they occur – including aquatic environments like the ponds and waterways at Tinker or a deployed location.

dog jumps into water — Tech. Sgt. Brett Hurley, Kennel Master with the 72nd Security Forces Squadron, encourages a military working dog to enter the water during annual training at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., Sept. 4, 2025. The training prepares dogs to pursue and hold suspects in aquatic environments found on base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Courtney Landsberger)

“We don’t want to ever be put in a situation where the dogs hesitate to go after a suspect,” said Tech. Sgt. Brett Hurley, Kennel Master for 72nd SFS. “We want them to be confident enough to get into the water, biting and holding the suspect if the mission requires it.”

Handlers start by letting each dog get their feet wet in a shallow wading pool. Once acclimated, the scenario moved to the deeper pool where an Airman playing the role of a suspect waded in while wearing a padded bite sleeve. At the handler’s command, the MWD then jumped into the water, latching onto the sleeve and maintaining grip until the handler called them off.

“It’s a different environment for them,” Hurley explained. “In the pool, they don’t have that steady ground underneath them, so it’s a challenge.”

By confronting nontraditional scenarios, the squadron strengthens its ability to safeguard the installation while building trust between handler and dog—and this year’s star performers were some of the kennel’s oldest members, six-year-old “Wwarn” and eight-year-old “This”.

“By far, This and Wwarn had no hesitation jumping in the water and going after the bad guy,” Hurley said. “For them, it’s enjoyable—they were just swimming around, having fun.”

The annual water aggression training is part of a broader mission to keep 72nd Defenders lethal, flexible and ready to protect the installation and its mission partners at a moment’s notice – on land, or in water.

“Readiness means never hesitating, no matter the environment,” said Hurley. “Our job is to prepare for the worst-case scenario so the mission never stops.”