Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Security Training Assessment and Assistance Team (STAAT) conducted a bi-annual assessment of Naval Station Rota's military working dog (MWD) teams, May 8-19.

NCIS STAAT and the Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia (EURAFSWA) kennel master and trainer spent two weeks assessing the MWD teams on everything from dog utilization and training, to proper documentation.

"We're assessing the dog teams to make sure they are complying with regulations and meeting the proficiency levels required to maintain certification to do what they do," said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Lenny Borja, EURAFSWA MWD trainer.

MWDs are trained to provide deterrence, detect drugs and bombs, and assist in law enforcement procedures. There is a lot that goes into making sure the dog teams are proficient, so Borja and his team ensure Rota's MWD teams are set up for success.

"My team will visit installations every six months to provide training to the teams and correct any hits and fix any discrepancies so when they do go through the full inspection, they'll be prepared," said Borja. "We provide all the tools and resources for them prior to the big assessment so they can perform to the best of their abilities."

Rota's MWD handlers knew these assessments are very thorough, which is why they put in long hours during the week with their dog teams, to include both daily work and training.

"Training is constant to keep the dogs proficient in commands," said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Leroy Williams, MWD team leader. "You can never be prepared enough. We are always learning, evolving and looking for different ways to improve. It's not like just taking the dogs for a walk. We need to learn their personalities so we ensure we have a solid and understanding relationship."

Williams further explained the relationship is vital to success because if MWD handlers ever need to put the dog into harm's way, the dogs won't second-guess the situation because they have complete trust their two-legged partner.

Naval Station Rota enables and supports operations of U.S. and allied forces and provides quality services in support of the fleet, fighter, and family for Commander, Navy Installations Command in Navy Region EURAFSWA.

Just as a ship performs lines of operation, which provide a capability, Navy Region EURAFSWA bases perform the same eight lines of operation to provide capability to the fleet and joint and allied forces. These eight lines of operation are air operations; port operations; safety; security; Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR); Fleet and Family Services; and what is called the core -- the fuels, water, and power that keep the bases running. Through the lines of operation, installations are force multipliers, which maximize the combat capability of operational units.

For more news from Naval Station Rota, Spain, visit them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/USNavalStationRota or on the web at http://www.navy.mil/local/rota/.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Naval Station Rota, Spain, visit www.navy.mil/.