Luke AFB Police Week 2025 K-9 Competition

May 16, 2025 Hannah Sanchez 56th SFS, SF Units, USAF Comments Off on Luke AFB Police Week 2025 K-9 Competition
Officer Chris Wheeler, Casa Grande Police dog handler, grabs his canine, Rik, during a police and military K-9 competition, May 14, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. During the K-9 competition, police and military working dogs were evaluated on their speed and ability to follow commands. This event highlighted the precise control and discipline required of these working dogs in resisting distractions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Belinda Guachun-Chichay)

LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Arizona — Officer Chris Wheeler, Casa Grande Police dog handler, grabs his canine, Rik, during a police and military K-9 competition, May 14, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. During the K-9 competition, police and military working dogs were evaluated on their speed and ability to follow commands. This event highlighted the precise control and discipline required of these working dogs in resisting distractions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Belinda Guachun-Chichay)

  • Published 
  • By A1C Belinda Guachun-Chichay
  • 56th Fighter Wing


U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 56th Fighter Wing and civilian law enforcement officers await the start of a K-9 competition, May 14, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The 56th FW held various events throughout Police Week to commemorate fallen defenders and honor current security forces and civilian officers. These individuals keep the base and community safe every day of the week. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Belinda Guachun-Chichay)
Ralph, a K-9 with the Maricopa County Sherrif’s Office, sprints toward a target during a police and military K-9 competition, May 14, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The MCSO’s K-9 unit assists with patrol duties, searches, tracking, apprehension of suspects, and bomb and narcotics detection. These K-9s and their handlers undergo extensive training to ensure qualification for their assigned duties. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Belinda Guachun-Chichay)
U.S. Air Force military working dog Enzo, assigned to the 56th Security Forces Squadron, runs down an elevated platform in an obstacle course during a civilian police and military K-9 competition, May 14, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The day's K-9 competition tested the dogs' obedience and speed in completing the course accurately. Decoy trainers were also strategically placed throughout the event to provide stimulating distractions for the military working dogs, which reflect the skills military dogs and handlers need to carry out the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Belinda Guachun-Chichay)
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Joseph Longhurst, 56th Logistics Readiness Squadron mission generating vehicle equipment maintenance apprentice, and honor guardsmen assigned to the 56th Fighter Wing, present the colors and perform at a K-9 Competition, May 14, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. Held during Police Week, the competition showcased the skills and bond between law enforcement working dogs and their handlers. Luke AFB held various events throughout the week recognizing military and civilian police. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Belinda Guachun-Chichay)
Rik, a K-9 with the Casa Grande Police Department, bites a decoy during a K-9 competition, May 14, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The competition featured an obstacle course for the working dogs, testing their abilities in differing terrain and raised ledges to see how the K-9s adapt to unfamiliar settings. Awards such as Tough Dog, was based on greatest running speed, force of impact, and bite strength, were awarded to the K-9s. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Belinda Guachun-Chichay)
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Julia Caccavo, 355th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, directs her K-9 partner, SSilke, to jump through a raining arch in an obstacle course during a police and military K-9 competition, May 14, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The day's K-9 competition tested the dogs' obedience and speed in accurately completing the course. Several portions of the obstacle course were strategically designed to test the dogs' obedience by creating hesitation in following orders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Belinda Guachun-Chichay)
Blitz, a K-9 assigned to the Casa Grande Police Department, runs toward a decoy during a police and military K-9 competition, May 14, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. Beyond their daily work in the K-9 unit, these handlers and their canine counterparts also showcase their skills through competitions and public demonstrations. These demonstrations allow the unit to connect with the community at public safety events and schools. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Belinda Guachun-Chichay)
Axl, a K-9 with the Maricopa County SWAT Division, bites a decoy during a police and military K-9 competition, May 14, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. In March 2024, K-9 Axl alerted narcotics officers of an envelope disguised as legal mail at a Lower Buckeye jail, revealing pages soaked in methamphetamine. The hard work of K-9 partners on the front lines contributes significantly to community safety. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Belinda Guachun-Chichay)
Christian Corrales, Arizona Department of Corrections dog handler, and his K-9 partner, Dag, compete in a K-9 event, May 14, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. Popular law enforcement K-9 breeds include German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, Bloodhounds, and Labrador Retrievers. Depending on their specialized tasks, these dogs can be either single-purpose or dual-purpose. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Belinda Guachun-Chichay)