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OGDEN — In just under a year, Hill Air Force Base’s newest and youngest military working dog has been sent on his first deployment.
DDuke is a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois and a trained explosive detection dog. The double first letter in his name shows he is part of the respected breeding program out of Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.
He is related to another Hill working dog, SSoto, who arrived in March 2023.
"It is not typical for a very young dog to deploy since they are learning operational skills early on; however since DDuke is a puppy program dog, he is built from a different cloth," said the dog’s handler, Staff Sgt. Daniel Duarte, in a prepared statement.
When not sniffing for bombs, Duarte says DDuke is "very sweet and loving … he enjoys cuddling up to me and taking a nap on my leg."
From the time DDuke and puppies like him are born, until they are 8 weeks old, puppy development specialists at Lackland imprint and expose the young animals to "a variety of simulations and activities that will prepare them for the next phase of their life," a press release says. They are then put in human foster families for around five months before they are sent to other installations.
DDuke arrived at Hill in January and was "validated and base certified" in months, according to a press release. He was then "pre-deployment certified."
His arrival came after the death of fellow Lackland pup Xxuthus, who had to be euthanized from an unknown illness in December 2023, and preceded the retirement of the base’s only drug detection K9, Kay, in February.
"When training for deployment, it was constant instruction to acclimate DDuke to find explosive plants in the ground," Duarte said in a statement.
"This training sets them up for their deployment where finding IEDs in dirt and sand is a big threat," according to Duarte. The dog "quickly adapted to his training and environment and was able to certify within a month and a half."
DDuke’s strengths, according to his handler, are his "eagerness to work and his alertness." The dog is "constantly on guard, looking for the bad guys," the release said.
After the pre-deployment certification, DDuke worked two Secret Service assignments, including protests outside the United Center in Chicago during the Democratic National Convention, according to the release.
Though officials can’t say exactly where he’s gone, DDuke is now deployed with Duarte to the U.S. Central Command area, which includes the Middle East, Central Asia and parts of South Asia.
"DDuke continues to amaze me the more time we spend together. He is still a puppy trying to carve out his personality, and he is constantly learning every day. I’m glad that DDuke is my partner while deployed and (we) have each other’s back," Duarte said.
