ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The 97th Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dogs Section hosted a Homemade Explosives or HME training on Aug. 13, 2025. The training aids for this event were set up and supplied by an FBI special agent from the Oklahoma Division for the training of explosive detection canines.
Participants for this training event were assigned to the 97th SFS, TSA National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program and the U.S. Army 902nd Military Police Detachment (MWD).
“This is a great opportunity to work with other agencies,” said Homeland Security Agent Fred Miller, TSA explosive detection canine handler. “We train with the FBI once a month, and it's always somewhere different and with other agencies. There's a special value in coming down here and working with military agencies. We never know, as a federal agency, who we're going to work with in an operational environment.”
During the training, the FBI special agent was able to provide the HME training aids since the bureau's lab is authorized to handle materials used in making HMEs. With their capability they enable the readiness of detection canines assigned to bomb squads for ensuring public safety.
“It's always good when the dogs are exposed to this,” said Staff Sgt. Sean King, 97th SFS MWD section noncommissioned officer in charge. “Our dogs don’t get exposed to this too often so any bit of training helps enhance what they do, while broadening the relationship with our outer agencies as well.”
Getting directly exposed to HME’s chemical agents ensures the scent is imprinted on the detection dog in line with their routine training requirements. This interagency cooperation allows standards to be upheld for public safety stateside and abroad.