Kennels

Malmstrom Air Force Base’s new kennel facility, which opened Jan. 24, contains one isolation kennel, and more storage and office space than the previous facility, built in 1959. The new kennel facility also has its own veterinarian room to care for injured and sick MWDs assigned to the base, and each military working dog now has their own doghouse inside their individual kennel. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Cortney Paxton)

Kennels

The new 341st Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dog kennel facility, built by Oswood Construction Company, opened Jan. 24. The new $1.9 million, Air Force Global Strike Command, funded facility, has individual kennels measuring 10-feet-long by 8-feet-wide. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Cortney Paxton)

Newest dog house on base opens

Published Feb. 14, 2013
By Tech. Sgt. Dennis Tapp
341st Security Forces Squadron

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- The 341st Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dog section opened a new kennel facility, built by Oswood Construction Company, on Jan. 24. The old facility, originally built in 1959, had been renovated two times in 53 years. Both renovations met the immediate needs of the MWDs at the time, but the facility itself eventually exceeded its life span.

The new $1.9 million Air Force Global Strike Command facility helps improve the overall effectiveness of Malmstrom's dog teams. It houses eight MWDs in individual kennels measuring 10-feet by 8-feet. Additionally, each MWD now has their own doghouse inside the individual kennels. It also includes an isolation kennel should one of the MWDs need to be separated from the rest for medical reasons. Sick MWDs won't have to go far for help, as the new facility has its own veterinarian room for injured or sick MWDs.

The canines aren't the only ones who will benefit from the new facility. The MWD handlers now have adequate office and training space to help them meet the demands of their mission. The increased space of the new facility allows for more efficient storage of the equipment required to keep a kennel section running smoothly.

All personnel assigned to the MWD section are relieved to finally open this new facility. This new facility provides better care for Malmstrom's highly trained detection and police dogs, and their trainers who provide critical explosive, narcotics and patrol capability for the base and its critical assets.

The new building is a definite step up from the old one, providing Wing One's MWD team a top flight facility to support their top flight program.