35th Security Forces Squadron strengthens military working dog readiness

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dante Sepulveda, 35th Security Forces Squadron military working dog (MWD) trainer supervisor, places live explosive training aids during a MWD training exercise at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 24, 2026. Maintaining explosives detection proficiency enables military working dog teams to protect critical assets and preserve the combat readiness of the 35th Fighter Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
35th Security Forces Squadron strengthens military working dog readiness

Live explosive training aids are used during a military working dog (MWD) training exercise at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 24, 2026. Routine exposure to live explosive training aids reinforces MWD teams' detection proficiency, preparing them to identify explosive threats in operational environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
35th Security Forces Squadron strengthens military working dog readiness

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dante Sepulveda, 35th Security Forces Squadron military working dog (MWD) trainer supervisor, conceals a live explosive training aid during a MWD training exercise at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 24, 2026. The training reinforced MWD teams' ability to detect explosive threats, strengthening installation security and mission readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
35th Security Forces Squadron strengthens military working dog readiness

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Dalton Smith, 35th Security Forces Squadron (SFS) military working dog (MWD) handler, and Cini, 35th SFS MWD, search for explosive odors during a training exercise at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 24, 2026. The exercise strengthened the coordination between handler and dog, ensuring MWD teams remain prepared to detect explosive threats during security operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
35th Security Forces Squadron strengthens military working dog readiness

Caos, 35th Security Forces Squadron military working dog (MWD), alerts on a live explosive training aid concealed in a tree during a training exercise at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 24, 2026. Training scenarios that vary the placement of explosive training aids strengthen MWD teams' ability to detect explosive threats in diverse environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
35th Security Forces Squadron strengthens military working dog readiness

Clinton, 35th Security Forces Squadron military working dog (MWD), alerts on a live explosive training aid during a training exercise at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 24, 2026. Successful detection exercises build confidence between MWDs and their handlers while reinforcing the reliability needed during real-world security operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
35th Security Forces Squadron strengthens military working dog readiness

Clinton, 35th Security Forces Squadron military working dog (MWD), searches for explosive odors during a training exercise at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 24, 2026. Routine training with live explosive training aids reinforces MWD teams' detection proficiency, helping safeguard personnel and critical assets that enable the 35th Fighter Wing's combat readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
35th Security Forces Squadron strengthens military working dog readiness

Clinton, 35th Security Forces Squadron military working dog (MWD), plays with a reward toy after successfully locating a live explosive training aid during a training exercise at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 24, 2026. Reward-based training reinforces desired detection behaviors, helping MWD teams maintain reliable performance during explosives detection operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
35th Security Forces Squadron strengthens military working dog readiness

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Randall Williams, 35th Security Forces Squadron (SFS) military working dog (MWD) handler, and Caos, 35th SFS MWD, search for explosive odors during a training exercise at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 24, 2026. MWD teams routinely train to maintain the communication, precision and trust required to detect explosive threats during security operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
35th Security Forces Squadron strengthens military working dog readiness

Cini, 35th Security Forces Squadron (SFS) military working dog (MWD), and U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Dalton Smith, 35th SFS MWD handler, work together during a training exercise at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 24, 2026. The exercise strengthened the bond between handler and dog while reinforcing the protective skills MWD teams rely on during security operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
35th Security Forces Squadron strengthens military working dog readiness

Bruno, 35th Security Forces Squadron military working dog (MWD), prepares to begin an explosives detection search during a training exercise at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 24, 2026. Routine training develops the skills MWDs need to achieve and maintain certification in support of installation security and force protection operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

35th Security Forces Squadron strengthens military working dog readiness

Published July 1, 2026
By Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther
35th Fighter Wing

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --

Routine training with live explosive training aids reinforces MWD teams' detection proficiency, helping safeguard personnel and critical assets that enable the 35th Fighter Wing's combat readiness.