Vance K-9 team helps clear Oklahoma City building before president’s visit

  • Published
  • By Joe B. Wiles
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  President George Bush's visit to Oklahoma City last week was made safer by a bomb-detection team from Vance AFB. Staff Sgt. Matt Bowling and his K-9 partner, Cini, worked with two other Air Force dog teams and one from the Secret Service. 

Before the president arrived, Sergeant Bowling and Cini spent six hours Friday, Sept. 12, checking for explosives on the main level of the Presbyterian Health Foundation Conference Center. They were also responsible for examining all the packages and luggage coming into the center. 

Cini, a 5-year-old black German Shepherd Dog, is trained for both explosive detection and patrol work. Sergeant Bowling is a 13-year veteran of Security Forces, assigned to the 71st Security Forces Squadron here for the past two years. 

"Cini is the kind of dog you really have to establish a rapport with. And once you do, she is a great dog," said Sergeant Bowling. 

This is the third high-visibility event Sergeant Bowling and Cini have worked together. In early September they flew to Minneapolis for the Republican National Convention. During part of the year, airlines have a heat-embargo that prevents animals from traveling in the luggage compartment. Cini donned her travelling muzzle and was seated in coach. 

"She spent the flight lying on the floor," said Sergeant Bowling. "On the way back we were upgraded to first class. It was beautiful," he said. 

In late August, the team went to Davenport, Iowa, to clear a building before it was visited by Senator Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee for president. 

Sergeant Bowling wore civilian clothing for all three jobs. "The first two were in casual dress, but we worked the president's visit to Oklahoma City in a suit and tie," he said. A suit and tie isn't something normally in his closet. "It was a last minute thing," the dog handler said with a grin. 

Sergeant Bowling cross-trained into dog handling after spending his first 11 years in the Air Force and Security Forces at Minot AFB, N.D. "I love K-9, especially when we get to work with an outside agency like the Secret Service," he said. "It's also good for the resume." 

He has served as the kennel master with the 71st SFS for the past year. He is responsible for four working dogs; two German Shepherd Dogs and two Belgium Malinois.