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Military Working Dogs in U.K. Complete First Water-Confidence Training

Nov. 25, 2025 | By Karen Abeyasekere, 100th Air Refueling Wing

A dog bites the arm of a man wearing a padded safety jacket while swimming in a pool. Another man is standing in the water, watching the dog.
A dog bites the arm of a man wearing a padded safety jacket while swimming in a pool. Another man is standing in the water, watching the dog.
Military Working Dogs
Air Force Staff Sgt. Julian Benjamin, left, 100th Security Forces Squadron military working dog trainer, watches MWD Uta as she bites on a suit worn by Air Force Staff Sgt. Cameron Gilbert, 100th SFS MWD handler, during water-confidence training in a pool at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Nov. 12, 2025.
Download: Full Size (276.48 KB)
Credit: Karen Abeyasekere, Air Force
VIRIN: 251112-F-EJ686-1578M
A German shepherd splashes and swims in a pool. A man is holding the dog by a leash.
A German shepherd splashes and swims in a pool. A man is holding the dog by a leash.
Military Working Dogs
Air Force Military Working Dog Uta, 100th Security Forces Squadron, paddles, guided by Air Force Staff Sgt. Cameron Gilbert, 100th Security Forces Squadron MWD trainer, during water-confidence training in a pool at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Nov. 12, 2025.
Download: Full Size (235.52 KB)
Credit: Karen Abeyasekere, Air Force
VIRIN: 251112-F-EJ686-1345
A dog holds a blue rubber toy in its mouth while swimming in a pool. A man is holding the dog as it swims.
A dog holds a blue rubber toy in its mouth while swimming in a pool. A man is holding the dog as it swims.
Military Working Dogs
Air Force Military Working Dog Glen, 100th Security Forces Squadron, swims with his incentive toy, guided by Air Force Staff Sgt. Julian Benjamin, 100th Security Forces Squadron MWD handler, during water-confidence training in a pool at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Nov. 12, 2025.
Download: Full Size (317.44 KB)
Credit: Karen Abeyasekere, Air Force
VIRIN: 251112-F-EJ686-1221M
Military working dogs and handlers from the 100th Security Forces Squadron conducted water-confidence training in a pool at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Nov. 12, 2025. This was the first time this type of training has been conducted at the base.

A woman wearing casual attire holds the leash of a military working dog as it prepares to jump into a pool.
A woman wearing casual attire holds the leash of a military working dog as it prepares to jump into a pool.
Military Working Dogs
Air Force Staff Sgt. Keila Falcon, 100th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, holds on to MWD Kairo as he prepares to leap into a pool and perform a bite during water-confidence training at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Nov. 12, 2025. This was the first time this type of training has been conducted at the base. The goal was to build the working dogs' confidence so they can perform operational tasks while in the water.
Download: Full Size (389.12 KB)
Credit: Karen Abeyasekere, Air Force
VIRIN: 251112-F-EJ686-1092M
A man standing in a pool holds a wet German shepherd by the collar as the dog lies just outside of the pool.
A man standing in a pool holds a wet German shepherd by the collar as the dog lies just outside of the pool.
Military Working Dogs
Air Force Staff Sgt. Samuel McPheron, 100th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, praises MWD Juan after he performs a bite maneuver during water-confidence training in a pool at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Nov. 12, 2025.
Download: Full Size (368.64 KB)
Credit: Karen Abeyasekere, Air Force
VIRIN: 251112-F-EJ686-1127M
The goal was to build confidence in the working dogs so they are able to conduct operational tasks while in the water. The training strengthens their overall readiness and force projection capability through building confidence in the water.

This prepares the dogs to operate in unpredictable terrain across the U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa area of operations, while bolstering the 100th Air Refueling Wing's ability to forward deploy in austere environments.

A man holds a dog on his shoulder while walking in a pool.
A man holds a dog on his shoulder while walking in a pool.
Military Working Dogs
Air Force Staff Sgt. Julian Benjamin, 100th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, carries MWD Glen on his shoulder after bite work during water-confidence training in a pool at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Nov. 12, 2025.
Download: Full Size (409.6 KB)
Credit: Karen Abeyasekere, Air Force
VIRIN: 251112-F-EJ686-1501M
A German shepherd bites the arm of a man wearing a padded safety jacket while inside a pool. Another man is holding the dog by the collar.
A German shepherd bites the arm of a man wearing a padded safety jacket while inside a pool. Another man is holding the dog by the collar.
Military Working Dogs
Air Force Staff Sgt. Cameron Gilbert, left, 100th Security Forces Squadron military working dog trainer, braces himself as MWD Mmoab grips onto the bite suit while Air Force Staff Sgt. Samuel McPheron, 100th SFS MWD handler, holds onto his leash during water-confidence training in a pool at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Nov. 12, 2025. The training prepares dogs to operate in unpredictable terrain across the U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa area of operations.
Download: Full Size (184.32 KB)
Credit: Karen Abeyasekere, Air Force
VIRIN: 251112-F-EJ686-1332

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