K9s Working With The U.S. Department Of State

In the spring of 2000, the U.S. DOS's Office ofemergency demining. This group has been deployed to
Humanitarian Demining Programs (HDP) funded K9three locations in the last 18 months Sri Lanka, Nigeria
Global Training Academy ( to train six MDDs to workand twice to Sudan.
with an NGO, which receives funding through theIn 2001, HDP funded Global to support humanitarian
United Nations. The organization is known as thedemining operations in the following countries, each of
Accelerated Demining Program (ADP) in Maputo,which was provided with MDDs.
Mozambique. The ADP's program was the secondEritrea received six MDDs in 2001 and an additional six
instance in which HDP provided MDD assets to aMDDs in 2002. All the dogs are fully deployed in the
pre-existing demining operation. The first time was tominefields.
assist the OAS in Central America. The ADP'sOman received four MDDs in the spring of 2001, with
program was the first where MDDs were specificallyall dogs being deployed in the fall of 2001.
trained to work in minefields that had been preparedLebanon received its first six MDDs in the spring of
for demining use by flail machines. The use of MDDs in2001 and a second group of seven MDDs in the spring
areas cleared by the flails has broadened the utilizationof 2002. Lebanon is scheduled to receive an additional
of MDDs in demining operations.five MDDs the spring of 2003. All MDDs are deployed
In 2000, HDP funded a separate MDD (12 dogs)working behind flails and conducting quality assurance.
demining operation in Beira, Mozambique. This operationAzerbaijan MDD operations commenced in
was to clear the railroad lines within centralSeptember of 2001 with Global initially providing six
Mozambique in order to improve travel and trade. Thisleased MDD teams out of Bosnia. One of the lease
project was completed in the fall of 2002.dogs was replaced due to illness in the fall of 2001.
During the year 2000, HDP funded Global toThese six MDDs were donated to the Azerbaijan
accomplish the following tasks in Thailand:Mine Action Clearance Program. Global trained local
Establish a MAC and furnish technical assistance innationals to handle the MDDs. The second indigenous
training the Thai military to operate the center.MDD handler course, which commenced in the spring
Provide training and technical assistance in manual andof 2002, consisted of seven new MDDs. A third
mechanical demining procedures.handler/supervisors course was conducted in August
Provide the Thai military Mine Dog Center (MDC) withof 2002, which added three additional MDDs later that
training assistance in updating their MDD program. Thisyear.
program has provided 28 MDDs and handler training. ItIn late spring of 2002, HDP funded a humanitarian
also has provided four MDD trainer instructors, who willdemining operation with the military forces of Armenia.
complete their training in the summer of 2003.The requirement was to build a MAC, provide training
In the spring of 2001, HDP established the Quickfor manual deminers and establish an MDD program.
Reaction Demining Force (QRDF). The QRDF hasSeven MDDs were entered into training, and in
eight MDD teams and manual deminers assigned. TheirSeptember of 2002, five MDD handler teams
mission is to deploy to hot spots anywhere in thecompleted training. These teams were deployed with
world that the United States has an interest ina manual demining group in October of 2002.