David,

I hope all the schools they talk about actually happen, there are some others I have heard rumored about, unfortuantly by the time we get them or test them we will probably be out...LOL..

Kevin, thanks for training with our guys. I hear a lot of times from KM's in the field of the true seperation of civilian depts and military (usually our fault because of arrogance). I wish we could all train together to make our programs better, some of my best learning took place in Germany when I got to train with the polizei for detection and a local schutzhund club for our patrol work...I am about to move here soon and I hope to build a bond in the local community, of course I am "crazy" and just love to work dogs....

We are going to start a Combat Tracker course jointly with the Marines.....nothing for road duty
Even though, I can't wait for that school!

Now here you're talking about a course!!!
I very much like to track....I've been pretty successful at this in the last few years. I had to modify some techniques, throw out some very favored techniques, and do a lot of adjustments to be able to track in a reasonably safe manner for armed suspects. i have had a lot of heartburn over putting together a tactical approach to tracking. The handler/dog and and the backup have to be on the same page to do it right.

>>>>Kevin, thanks for training with our guys. I hear a lot of times from KM's in the field of the true seperation of civilian depts and military (usually our fault because of arrogance). I wish we could all train together to make our programs better, some of my best learning took place in Germany when I got to train with the polizei for detection and a local schutzhund club for our patrol work...I am about to move here soon and I hope to build a bond in the local community, of course I am "crazy" and just love to work dogs....<<<<<<

The Kennelmaster and the Handlers have been great. The AFB is closing much of the base housing. It has left entire neighborhoods available to train in. Our Sheriff's Academy also resides on the AFB in DOE's Central Training Academy.
Last year we did a Tactical Seminar w/ Brad Smith of West Covina PD SKIDDS and lane Critser of Utah County SO. And did the whole thing on the base. We also had USBP send three instructors for detector work at the same time. 5 USAF handlers were involved, including a VSK competition. I cannot say enough about the positive relationship that not only the K-9 guys have with civilian law enforcement here but also the overall attitude that KAFB and the DOE central Training Academy which is part of the base facilities has with us.