60th SFS partners with CDCR for K-9 joint-training

  • Published
  • By Nicholas Pilch
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – K-9 correctional officers from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation trained with the 60th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handlers, April 27 – 29.

The CDCR conducted three separate, three-day training events at three different site locations throughout Northern California, with Travis AFB as one of the sites.

“With this joint training and partnership, we will be facilitating some of the training to help advance the CDCR dog teams as well as our own, said Staff Sgt. Roniel Tolentino, 60th SFS, MWD trainer.

The CDCR brought in 25 dog teams, each specializing in different abilities to find contraband, i.e., drugs, bombs or other materials that could be dangerous or illegal.

“The end goal of the training is twofold,” Tolentino said. “First, it enhances our MWD capabilities on multiple levels and second, it improves our relationship with the CDCR and other law enforcement agencies – not only for 60th SFS/MWD sections, but with all sections within the 60th SFS.”

Two MWD handlers, staff sergeants Jennifer James and Anna Weaver, from the 60th SFS participated in the training.

“This training was a great opportunity to not only get more experience, but to also see how outside law enforcement (and) K-9 handlers operate,” Weaver said.

Weaver echoed Tolentino explaining that the joint-training was beneficial for both agencies because they were able to learn from each other which builds for stronger interagency relationships.

“It was nice to see where they were training-wise,” she said. “We can help each other, it makes for great relationships on the outside and both of us benefit in the long run.”