K-9 Team 'Top Dogs' in DOD Narcotic Detection
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Vol. 41, No. 11 www.stuttgart.army.mil May 31, 2012 Sgt. Paul Helm restrains Eico, K-9 team ‘top dogs’ in his canine partner, during a military DOD narcotic detection working dog Story & photo by Susan Huseman The trials are designed to showcase demonstration USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs Office DOD military working dog teams and for Patch test their strength, endurance and con- Elementary Stuttgart K-9 team knows trol of a situation. School all about the sweet smell It was the first time in 10 years kindergartners A of success. that the trials have been held. Since May 17. Helm Sgt. Paul Helm and Military Work- 9/11, MWD teams have had to place and Eico are ing Dog Eico took top honors in drug real-world requirements ahead of the best drug detection during the 2012 Defense competition. detection dog Department MWD K-9 Trials held Helm, who hails from Prairie du team in DOD, May 3-5 at Joint Base San Antonio- Rocher, Ill., and Eico, a 6-year-old having just won Lackland, Texas. German shepherd, participated in top honors in “It was a team effort,” Helm said patrol, detection and “Iron Dog” drug detection of the victory. competitions. during the He and Eico, both assigned to the Day One involved patrol scenarios 2012 Defense 554th Military Police Company’s where Helm and Eico conducted a fel- Department K-9 section, have been partners for ony traffic stop and a building search. MWD K-9 Trials three years. On Day Two, the team moved onto held May 3-5 To earn the title of essentially what the first timed narcotic search problem at Joint Base is the best drug detection dog team in of the event, a unit health and welfare San Antonio- DOD, Helm and his dog competed building search. Lackland, against 42 teams from all branches of Texas. service over three grueling days. See ‘Top dogs’ on page 4 BEMS robotics club spurs students’ interest in science, math Story & photos by Susan Huseman USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs Office BEMS students Ben egos have moved from the playroom into Patterson (from the classroom. No longer toys, they’ve left), eighth grade; Lnow tools for educators. Emma Patterson, And they’re still fun, as Böblingen Elementary/ seventh grade; and Middle School students discovered May 16 during Abigail Bernasconi, the school’s first-ever robotics tournament. seventh grade, The tournament was the culmination of a robotics position their robot, club that began in January for students in grades five Hal, on the game through eight. board before its Thanks to the BEMS Parent Teachers Association, second run during approximately 40 students were able to participate the school’s robotics in the First Lego League, a worldwide robotics pro- tournament May gram for elementary and middle school students that 16. The team came is designed to get them excited about science and in second, behind technology. Team Six. See Robotics club on page 4 Page 3 Page 8 INSIDE PCSing with pets on Expecting guests? HIS Patriot Express Plan ahead! T If you’re relocating with a pet, Patriot Ex- If you’re expecting visitors this summer, press, the Defense Department’s chartered garrison agencies can make your life a little EDITION air service between Ramstein AB and BWI, easier by issuing your guests permission to may be your most economical choice. drive your POV, visitor passes and more. Page 2 OPINION The Citizen, May 31, 2012 The Citizen, May 31, 2012 NEWS Page 3 Motorcycle safety remains top priority for Army News & Notes Commentary by Command Sgt. Sport bike riders accounted a proven method of reinforcing safe Service members, families Maj. Richard D. Stidley and for a disproportionate share of the ... All Soldiers riding behavior. Many installations get free national park passes Brig. Gen. William T. Wolf fatalities. have active MMP chapters, and we Active duty service members and their Army Combat Indiscipline — primarily should be highly encourage riders of all ranks families will be able to enter all of Ameri- Readiness/Safety Center speeding, other forms of reckless to join their local organization and ca’s national parks free of charge for a year riding and failure to wear personal aware the most learn from one another. his May, the Army ob- with the America the Beautiful National protective equipment — has been Safety is never just a date on served Motorcycle Safety dangerous Parks and Federal Recreation Lands annual an ongoing trend in motorcycle ac- a calendar, but there is no better Awareness Month as part pass, which normally costs $80. T cidents, and we must face the issue hazard they time than now to engage with your of the National Highway Traffic Military personnel can get the passes head on. Soldiers on the critical importance Safety Administration’s national at any national park or wildlife refuge that Standards are in force 24/7, and encounter on of safe riding. campaign to keep riders safe on our charges an entrance fee by showing their indiscipline cannot be tolerated sim- To complete your unit’s motor- nation’s highways. the road could military IDs. Family members also will be ply because a Soldier is off duty. cycle safety toolkit, take advantage The increasing number of of the campaign materials on the able to obtain their own passes, even if their As leaders and fellow Soldiers, be themselves. registered motorcycles on Army National Highway Traffic Safety service member is deployed or if they are we have a responsibility to ensure installations shows more and more Administration’s website at www. traveling separately. our riders recognize the risks and Soldiers are discovering the free- nhtsa.gov/Safety/Motorcycles, and The pass will be accepted at National remain disciplined on their bikes. Recent changes to AR 385-10 Susan Huseman dom and excitement of riding. This the tools available on the U.S. Army Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser- require all Soldier riders to com- While a pet can bring joy into a household, relocating with one can be challenging and expensive. Patriot hobby comes with significant risks, Engagement through standards Combat Readiness/Safety Center’s vice, Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of plete the Progressive Motorcycle Express flights may be the most economical choice for some service members. however, and all Soldiers should be enforcement is the most crucial ele- motorcycle safety page, https:// Land Management, U.S. Forest Service and Program, which staggers training aware the most dangerous hazard ment of motorcycle safety. safety.army.mil/motorcyclesafety. U.S. Army Corps sites that charge entrance at specific intervals to refresh and they encounter on the road could be Leaders should talk to their Sol- or standard amenity fees. build riding skills. themselves. diers and vigilantly guard against Editor’s Note: The Defense De- Patriot Express can help military The passes will allow the holder and The Army lost 45 Soldiers in high-risk behavior. They should also Leaders should contact their partment lost 92 service members in passengers in a single private vehicle access motorcycle accidents during fiscal make clear the expectation that all garrison safety office to schedule motorcycle accidents last year, ac- to some 2,000 sites that charge per vehicle. year 2011. More than 70 percent of riding standards outlined in Army training for their riders. cording to Joseph Angello, DOD’s families PCSing with pets At sites where entrance fees are charged per those accidents were attributed to Regulation 385-10 are followed In addition to training, the director of operational readiness person, it covers the pass owner and three rider error. both on and off post. Motorcycle Mentorship Program is and safety. U.S. Army Europe Public Affairs Office A very limited number of small pets may be au- thorized to travel in the cabin. adults age 16 and older. atriot Express, the Defense Department’s Pets must be able to fit comfortably in a hard- For more information, visit www.nps. chartered air travel service between Bal- sided or soft-sided kennel no larger than 20” long x gov/index.htm. N HE TREET Ptimore/Washington International Airport 16” wide x 8” high. The carrier must fit under the seat Help for unemployed vets O T S and Ramstein Airbase, gives more options to military HE in front of the passenger. Pets must be able to stand Unemployed veterans ages 35 to 60 can families who are about to relocate with pets. T up, lie down, and turn around with normal posture apply for up to 12 months of paid training Extreme heat during the summer months can put CITIZEN What are your summer plans? and body movements. through a new program sponsored by the an animal in a life-threatening situation while onboard Col. Carl D. Bird When making outbound travel arrangements for Departments of Labor and Veterans Affairs. an aircraft, and during May through September, many U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart Commander pets, service members will have to keep in mind that The program provides 12 months of airlines may impose a summer heat embargo and will Public Affairs Officer they will have to make appropriate onward movement training assistance equal to the monthly full- not transport pets in the cargo compartment. Mark Howell arrangements of their pets from BWI to their final “Most Patriot Express flights to BWI are climate time payment rate under the Montgomery GI [email protected] duty destination. This may be more difficult during Bill-Active Duty program, which currently controlled and can fly year-round without restrictions the embargo period than other times of the year.