T-Rex goes airborne

Staff Sgt. Jessica Newton, 319th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, guides her K9 partner, T-Rex, through a window hurdle during an Iron Dog Course at Apollo Park on Aug. 13, 2014, in the city of Grand Forks, N.D. The 319th SFS handlers and MWDs dominated two of the three the North Dakota Peace Officers Association’s K9 Challenge, which included K9 teams from around the state. Newton and T-Rex placed first in the patrol category of the competition and second in the explosive detection portion. (Senior Airman Xavier Navarro)

How high can a K9 jump?

Cpl. Mike Lee, Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Department K9 handler, runs alongside Sheeba as she jumps over a wall hurdle during the Iron Dog Course at Apollo Park on Aug. 13, 2014, in the city of Grand Forks, N.D. The event is part of the North Dakota Peace Officers Association’s K9 Challenge, which features explosives and narcotics detection; patrol maneuvers and an iron dog course. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Xavier Navarro)

The Iron Dog: Arco on the Attack

(Left) Staff Sgt. Brett Silmon, 319th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, commands his K9 partner, Arco, to attack Senior Airman Oscar Gomez, pretend aggressor, during a patrol maneuver competition at Apollo Park on Aug. 13, 2014 in the city of Grand Forks, N.D. The 319th SFS handlers and MWDs dominated two of the three portions of the North Dakota Peace Officers Association’s K9 Challenge that included K9 teams from around the state. Silmon and Arco placed first in the explosive detection portion of the competition and second in the patrol category. (Senior Airman Xavier Navarro)

Grand Forks AFB handlers & MWDs dominate state K9 competition

Handlers and K9s from the 319th Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dog Section pose for a group photo Nov. 12, 2013, at the Grand Forks Air Force Base Honor Guard Building on Grand Forks AFB, N.D. The 319th SFS handlers and MWDs dominated two of the three portions of a K9 Challenge that included K9 teams from around the northern state and took place Aug. 12, 2014 in the city of Grand Forks, N.D. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration/Staff Sgt. Luis Loza Gutierrez)

Grand Forks AFB handlers & MWDs dominate state K9 competition

Published Aug. 13, 2014
By Staff Sgt. Luis Loza Gutierrez
319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

GRAND FORKS N.D. -- Law enforcement K9 teams from across North Dakota showed off their skills at the North Dakota Peace Officers Association's K9 Challenge in the city of Grand Forks, N.D.

The statewide event took place Aug 12. Competitors included police service dogs and military working dogs.

The 319th Security Forces K9 section dominated two of the three portions of the competition, as they placed first, second and third in each event.

Below are the results of the explosive detection and patrol portions of the challenge

Explosive Detection
1st Place - K9 Arco and Handler Staff Sgt. Brett Silmon
2nd Place - K9 T-Rex and Handler Staff Sgt. Jessica Newton
3rd Place - K9 Zero and Handler Staff Sgt. Richard Lynn

Patrol
1st Place - K9 T-Rex and Handler Staff Sgt. Jessica Newton
2nd Place - K9 Arco and Handler Staff Sgt. Brett Silmon
3rd Place - K9 Llauren and Handler Staff Sgt. Jesse Aquino

Military Working Dog Arco and his handler, Sergeant Silmon, took the top award for K9 team with The Iron Dog award.

That team of Arco and Silmon was the only to complete all 11 obstacles.