Sniffing out the mission

A U.S. Air Force military working dog assigned to the 824th Base Defense Squadron bites a chew toy during training at Wild Adventures in Valdosta, Georgia, Sept. 9, 2026. MWD handlers use chew toys to reward military working dogs for successfully completing training commands and tasks. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rachel Howell)

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Sniffing out the mission

A U.S. Air Force military working dog assigned to the 824th Base Defense Squadron runs toward its handler during a training exercise at Wild Adventures in Valdosta, Georgia, Sept. 9, 2026. MWD handlers used the wave pool to challenge the dogs to follow commands across different terrain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rachel Howell)

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Sniffing out the mission

A U.S. Air Force military working dog assigned to the 824th Base Defense Squadron walks alongside its handler during a training exercise at Wild Adventures in Valdosta, Georgia, Sept. 9, 2026. MWD handlers conducted bite-work, obedience and simulated explosive detection training, while using the park’s varied terrain and wave pool to challenge the dogs in different environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rachel Howell)

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Sniffing out the mission

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Arthur Reyes, 823d[NS2.1] Base Defense Squadron military working dog handler, directs a military working dog to search an area during substance detection training at Wild Adventures in Valdosta, Georgia, Sept. 8, 2026. The training reinforced the MWD teams’ ability to detect trained substances and work effectively with their handlers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rachel Howell)

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Sniffing out the mission

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Cameron Jackson, 822nd Base Defense Squadron fire team member, walks a military working dog through Wild Adventures during a detection training exercise in Valdosta, Georgia, Sept. 8, 2026. The training challenged MWD teams to identify trained substances throughout the park. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rachel Howell)

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Sniffing out the mission

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Cameron Jackson, 822nd Base Defense Squadron fire team member, left, holds a military working dog’s leash as Staff Sgt. Jordan Utter, 824th Base Defense Squadron military working dog handler, right, participates in bite-work training at Wild Adventures in Valdosta, Georgia, Sept. 9, 2026. The training used a muzzled MWD to safely simulate an apprehension scenario in the wave pool. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rachel Howell)

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Sniffing out the mission

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jordan Utter, 824th Base Defense Squadron military working dog handler, participates in bite-work training at Wild Adventures in Valdosta, Georgia, Sept. 9, 2026. The training used a muzzled MWD to safely simulate an apprehension scenario in the wave pool, challenging the dog to follow commands and engage a target in a different environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rachel Howell)

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Sniffing out the mission

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Cameron Jackson, 822nd Base Defense Squadron fire team member, and Staff Sgt. Jordan Utter, 824th Base Defense Squadron military working dog handler, walk their military working dogs to begin a training exercise at Wild Adventures in Valdosta, Georgia, Sept. 10, 2026. The training allowed MWD teams to practice detection, obedience and bite-work skills across varied environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rachel Howell)

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Sniffing out the mission

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christian McComas, 824th Base Defense Squadron military working dog handler, runs as a military working dog pursues him during a training exercise at Wild Adventures in Valdosta, Georgia, Sept. 9, 2026. McComas participated as a simulated assailant to train the MWD on apprehension and bite-work techniques. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rachel Howell)

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Sniffing out the mission

Published Sept. 10, 2026
By Airman 1st Class Rachel Howell
93

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --

Who said a day at Wild Adventures was just for fun? The Airmen from the 820th Base Defense Group put their four-legged teammates to work, training military working dogs to detect trained substances and tackle new environments alongside their handlers. From detection to obedience to bite work, these MWDs are trained to stay ready for whatever the mission throws their way.