Training Report by Morgan Childs
On August 2nd, the brigade conducted a mock search outside of Rendija Canyon in Los Alamos, with 13 members in attendance. The purpose of this training was to practice critical skills by simulating a real-life mission. Mock missions also give new team members valuable insight into how SAR missions operate and what to expect when they answer a call out. This training included members from Mountain Canine Corps and Pajarito K-9, two SAR teams that are also based in Los Alamos and specialize in fielding highly trained search dogs. We often partner with them on missions, so this was a great opportunity to learn how we can best support them when we join them in the field.
At 8:00am, we met up at the Incident Command Post (also run by brigade members) and were briefed about the mission, which involved a missing hiker who was overdue from a hike the previous day. The reporting party who had let us know about the missing hiker then wandered off and went missing as well and became our second subject. Although the weather was warm and sunny in the morning, the prior night saw an intense amount of rain. This resulted in potential trail hazards for the ground teams to navigate and a challenge for the K-9s, who sometimes struggle with picking up a scent in wet conditions.
We then split up into teams of K-9s and ground searchers and each team focused on assignments covering trails that the subjects could have possibly traveled. Some members provided direct support to K-9 teams, which includes navigating and communicating to ICP so that the handlers can focus on their dogs. Others teamed up for additional ground support. On this mission, that involved performing sound sweeps (using sounds such as whistles and calls to prompt a response from the subject), searching for clues, and eventually clearing a path for the litter and carrying the subject out. The dogs were provided a scent object to prime their noses for the subjects, and then the teams embarked on their assignments.
The talented dogs demonstrated that the wet conditions were no match for them, and quickly locked on to a scent. After hiking for about a quarter of a mile, the first K-9s in the field started to head off-trail before making a beeline up a ridge, where the first subject was located. The subject was assessed, where it was determined that they suffered from a leg injury and would need a litter evacuation. The supporting ground teams were provided the subject’s coordinates and met up with the K-9 teams. Then the litter was assembled, packaged with the subject, and carried out. The second subject was also found quickly by the search dogs with the help of ground support. After assessment, it was determined that the second subject could walk out on their own. Everybody then regrouped at ICP, where the mission was debriefed and lessons learned were discussed, and the training concluded at around 11am.
Thank you to Mountain Canine Corps and Pajarito K-9 for partnering with us on this successful training mission, and a big thank you to our team leaders, who set up an excellent scenario that involved many opportunities for learning and development!