Uh, 'Doggles?'

For those of you who have problems keeping your dog from chasing the neighbors cat or attacking the door every time the door bell rings, think of the training chores that must be undertaken in order to acclimate a canine to military air transport distractions and hazards. From here at ANN HQ, where our resident canine/German Shepherd/dog food disposal system, Anjin, has decided the "Stay" command has a multiple choice response, this kind of training and obedience is impressive. Are you getting the hint, Anjin? 

Staff Sgt. Philip Mendoza pets his military working dog, Rico (above), wearing "doggles," during training aboard a helicopter April 21 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The training teaches the team how to safely and properly enter and exit aircraft, and prepares them for future air-assault missions. Sergeant Mendoza is a 332nd Security Forces Group military working dog handler deployed from Moody Air Force Base, GA. He is a native of Lancaster, Texas.

Military working dog handlers and military working dogs with the 332nd Security Forces Group wait for instructions to return to the aircraft from a helicopter crew chief during training April 21 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The training teaches the handlers and military working dogs how to safely and properly enter and exit aircraft, and prepares them for future air-assault missions. 

Senior Airman Ted Carlson egresses a helicopter with his military working dog, Dutchy, during training April 21 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The training teaches the team how to safely and properly enter and exit aircraft, and prepares them for future air-assault missions. Airman Carlson is a 332nd Security Forces Group military working dog handler deployed from Moody Air Force Base, Ga. He is a native of Rochester, N.Y. [ANN salutes US Air Force photographer Senior Airman Elizabeth Rissmiller]

FMI: www.af.mil