JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas –
The 2012 Department of Defense Military Working Dog Trials came to a close May 5 with the selection of a U.S. Navy handler as "Top Dog" following a grueling three-day competition at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.
U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Ekali Brooks, an MWD instructor with the 341st Training Squadron here earned the honor, besting handlers from 42 other teams throughout the DOD.
The competitors came together to test their skills in simulated scenarios included patrolling, and explosives and drug detection in both deployed environments and home station locations.
"It was a beautiful thing, winning two categories and being named Top Dog in front of the canine community. There are some great handlers here so I'm on cloud nine," Brooks said.
At 37 years old, Brooks, one of the oldest competitors, expressed the importance of getting the different branches of service together because although the event was challenging, it was a good learning experience for the handlers who participated.
"It allowed us to handle scenarios we may actually come across here or while deployed. We were able to help each other by pointing out the good or bad things (we) saw. In the end, it makes us all better handlers," said the Top Dog winner.
The competition followed several days of joint training and instruction at the Air Force-led DOD Military Working Dog schoolhouse on Lackland.
"It was outstanding from start to finish," said U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Jessy Eslick, DOD MWD Research and Development Section senior NCO in charge. "The event planning started in December 2011, and many individuals came together as part of a team to put on a great event."
The final round of competition was the Iron Dog event - a demanding six-mile course that tested each team's endurance and ability to work as one cohesive unit. The event had MWD handlers wearing full combat gear, including a ruck sack laden with a 35-pound sandbag. The trek covered terrain that required handlers to carry their canine partners, low crawl with simulated gunfire overhead, and retrieve an unconscious victim from a perilous area.
Appreciating the opportunity to get together and better the profession, Eslick said he was most excited to see the diverse types of training being conducted at the different locations.
"That being said, we have some work to do to improve and learn from the handlers and trainers before us," Eslick said. "The dog world is changing every day and we need to stay on top of the new technology and training techniques."
"I have pride in being part of such a special group of individuals who are dedicated to improving every day," Eslick said. "When the time comes and you're asked to go out on the front lines, you know that you and your dog are there to save lives. You can't ask for a greater responsibility than being a dog handler."
Results of the 2012 DOD Military Working Dog Trial
Patrol
1st place - U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Ekali Brooks
2nd place - U.S. Army Sgt. Alfredo Guajardo
3rd place - U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Brian Dorsey
Explosive Detection
1st place - Brooks
2nd place - U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Larry Brown
3rd place - U.S. Army Sgt. Jarred Palmer
Drug Detection
1st place - U.S. Army Sgt. Paul Helm
2nd place - U.S. Army Spc. David Cartwright
3rd place - U.S. Army Spc. Cesar Ventura
Iron Dog
1st place - Guajardo
2nd place - U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Justin Kitts
3rd place - U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joshua Handy
Top Dog
Brooks