Reserve Citizen Airmen helicopter crews train with military working dogs Published Jan. 25, 2018 By 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Florida -- Beta, a military working dog with the 45th Space Wing Security Force Squadron, is trained to smell anything from money to explosives and can even recognize hostile actions. He added a new skill Jan. 23 with the help of Reserve Citizen Airmen from the 920th Rescue Wing who familiarized the K9 with riding in helicopters. Beta, a Belgian Malinois, and his handler, Senior Airman Jerry Jasmin, spent the day flying in HH-60G Pave Hawks from 301st Rescue Squadron. Beta donned all of the safety equipment that his human counterparts must wear, including safety goggles. Riding in military aircraft is a task necessary for overseas combat operations, said Tech. Sgt. Dwight Veon, 45th Security Forces kennel master. Military working dogs and their handlers face a variety of missions under a wide array of conditions during deployments. They are constantly on the move, one minute working at a vehicle search area, the next providing security for distinguished visitors. Using helicopters is sometimes the most efficient way of getting from one mission assignment to the next.