Laughlin Security Forces' K-9 wins competition

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Cody Chiles
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Pushing 72 pounds of pure muscle and aggression, a Laughlin military working dog surpassed 25 other dogs from around the nation to bring home the "Hardest-Hitting Dog" award from the Rocky Mountain Trials, Aug. 21 to 22. 

Senior Airman Ryan Troester and K-245 Xxavier represented the 47th Security Forces Squadron for its first appearance at the trials held in Colorado Springs, Colo. 

Airman Troester led Xxavier through trials in dog obedience, aggression, explosive detection and drug detection in Air Force Academy's Falcon Stadium against dogs from the Sheriff's Department, Homeland Security, Air Force, Army and other sub-law enforcement agencies. 

In the hardest-hitting dog portion of the competition each dog was judged based on speed to the decoy and impact on the decoy. 

"It is no surprise Xxavier took this one" said Airman Troester. "Xxavier dislocated a person's shoulder while tackling them in a similar training exercise here last month."
After the trials Staff Sergeant Nicholas Ehlinger, 47th SFS kennel master, said "We sent our best and he definitely earned it." 

As a dog handler in the Air Force, Airman Troester has completed the MWD Handler's course, Specialized Search Detection Dog Handlers Training and Silver Flag Alpha. Currently he has been working with Xxavier, a former Lackland Puppy Program dog, for a year and a half, turning him into a fully functioning explosives detection and patrol dog. 

Now valued at up to $80,000, Xxavier, a Belgian Malinois, is utilized as a vital Department of Defense asset both on and off Laughlin. 

"Xxavier has been called on a number of times to be used in town," said Sergeant Ehlinger. 

Last month Border Patrol agents called on him for help during a local operation.
Airman Troester is headed back to Colorado Springs Sept. 8 for the United States Air Force Academy's Advanced Decoy seminar. 

"The trials were a great experience and I can't wait to go back again," he said.