One for the dogs: Luke Air Force Base's "green" K9 facility

Defying all expectations, these dog demonstrations are quite popular. Even stranger: children love them. I guess there's something about watching a dog desperately trying to tear a man's arm off. Something for the whole family. Bring grandma.

I've photographed these events — where a dog and its trainer demonstrate K9 tactics — at flea markets, city events, high schools and elementary schools (though never at a preschool), parades, concerts and at carnivals. Everyone loves a simulated mauling.

Most recently I photographed a K9 demo at Luke Air Force Base's new eco-friendly dog training facility. There were no children present, but there were a whole bunch of Air Force cadets who were eager to slip on the bite suit and let a German shepherd gnaw around their limbs. Before they could, though, the dog handlers did some quick demonstrations. The photo above was from a scenario where a suspect might overwhelm an airman who might not be able to issue commands to the dog. Through intense training the dog knows when his handler is in trouble and responds without any command to do so. 

I positioned myself on what I thought would be the most advantageous angle, though the dogs tend to ignore photographic angles when they attack. I lucked out, though, and got a nice shot (from a series of shots) of Rex laying a bite down on an airman's covered arm. Moments before, the airman wearing the bite suit was being handcuffed by the camouflaged airman, who was then pushed out of the way in a mock attack. Without any commands or signals, Rex leaped up and tried to subdue the suspect.

You can't really see it in the photo, but Rex's harness answers two questions: "Yes I do," and "No you can't."

The unasked questions: "Does he bite?" and "Can I pet him?"