Military dogs showcase skills in Balikatan training

Military dogs took center stage in an activity during this year’s Balikatan Military Exercise, according to a report by GMA Regional TV One North Central Luzon’s Jasmin Gabriel-Galban on “24 Oras” on Monday.

K-9 military units trained by the US Airforce showcased six phases of aggression and attacks on enemies. Meanwhile the trained dogs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) performed search and rescue operation methods, which is one of their most important tasks in times of disaster.

“Some of the demonstrations you're going to see is scout work, along with patrol work, so you'll see a couple of individuals in the bite suit, taking a bite from the dog as if they were the bad guy,” said Pacific Defender Lead TSGT. Justin Romeu.

The military dogs also demonstrated their basic obedience skills.

“It would be an exchange of capabilities from one side to the other... so 'yung ating techniques na ginagamit nila and then techniques natin nalalaman nang bawat isa so mas napa-polish 'yung ating techniques,” said Philippine Air Force (PAF) 773rd K9 Squadron EX-O 1Lt. Gideon Paul Caulian.

(It would be an exchange of capabilities from one side to the other. We’ll learn their techniques and they’ll learn ours. That way we can polish it.)

Also part of the activities were various ways to take care of military dogs and the training of 24 expert dog handlers from the PAF and 14 from the US Air Force. — DVM, GMA Integrated News