22nd SFS canine team aids local authorities

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class John Linzmeier
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Airmen from the 22nd Security Force Squadron responded to a bomb threat, April 18, at a department store in Derby, Kan.

The Derby Police Department evacuated the building in response to the phoned-in threat and requested support from the K-9 unit at McConnell AFB.

Airman 1st Class Geston Gordon, 22nd SFS Military Working Dog handler, was the first available to search the scene with his MWD, Dejule.

"We searched every square inch available inside that supermarket," said Tech. Sgt. Max Soto, 22nd SFS MWD trainer, who spotted Gordon throughout the search. "We went there and swept it with negative findings."

Derby PD deemed the area safe half an hour after the store was searched.

"The Airmen were very professional and diligent at their job and in the way they searched that building," said Dan Hammon, Derby PD deputy police chief. "It gave me the satisfaction that if there was a bomb in that building, they would have found it. I was 100 percent confident in them."

Gordon and Dejule were selected not only because of their immediate availability but because of their strong working relationship, a factor that directly affects their mission readiness.

"They are a really trustworthy team," said Soto. "They have [extensively trained and received certification] together, have a good rapport built, and they work really well. Naturally, we had a lot of confidence in that team."

Unlike the K-9 units of Derby PD, who are trained to search for narcotics, Dejule's ability to detect explosives prevented others from being exposed to a potentially dangerous environment.

"Due to the huge area of that store, a considerable amount of search-time was cut down by that dog's nose," said Hammon.

The 22nd SFS has MWD handlers on call 24/7, who stand by for the needs of the Air Force and those of its local communities.

"It is comforting to know that we have sources like McConnell AFB to help us out," said Hammon. "On behalf of our department, I would like to give my thanks to those who were involved. We are very lucky that no one was injured, and there was no device to be found. They did the Air Force proud."