Peterson teams among 'top dogs' at K-9 trials

Peterson teams among ‘top dogs’ at K-9 trials

TUCSON, Ariz. (AFPN) — Staff Sgt. Jesse Frank commands his military working dog, Gina, to jump a hurdle in the tactical obedience portion of the Tucson Area Police K-9 Trials. Sergeant Frank and Gina are with the 21st Security Forces Squadron at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Peterson teams among ‘top dogs’ at K-9 trials

by Tony Davis
21st Security Forces Squadron

12/1/2005 – PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFPN) — Two 21st Security Forces Squadron teams placed near the top in the tactical obedience and top agency areas at a national competition for working dogs.

This is the sixth consecutive year squadron’s military working dogs and their handlers from here competed at the Tucson Area Police K-9 Trials in Tucson, Ariz.

“Peterson teams have always done well at the trials. This year was no different,” said Master Sgt. Mark Dedrick, the squadron kennel master.

He said Staff Sgt. Jesse Frank and Staff Sgt. Jesse Tames lead the way. After qualifying at a local competition and two months of nonstop training, the two sergeants — with their K-9 partners, Gina and Chaky — showed off their skills.

The Tucson competition consists of events like detection, tactical obedience, handler protection, area search, building search and an obedience course.

There were 72 dog-handler teams from 25 different military and civilian agencies at this year’s event. Peterson left its mark with Sergeant Frank and Chaky placing second in top agency. Sergeant Tames and Gina were fourth in the tactical obedience category.

Sergeant Dedrick said it was a lean year for the 21st Space Wing. So the kennel team raised more than $3,100 to meet the costs for the competition.

“These guys trained hard and earned everything they got,” he said. “Of the eight handlers here who competed to go, Sergeants Frank and Tames were the two best military working dog teams”.

Sergeant Frank said all the dogs performed well at the competition.

“The places were separated by fractions of seconds,” Sergeant Frank said. “I was proud of the way Gina worked and how well she did.”

Sergeant Dedrick said the squadron’s military working dog section participates in an average of four competitions annually, placing more often than not.

“No matter how many awards we win, we are always working hard and striving to do better,” he said.

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