Air Defense Force Handler and His Working Dog on the Front Lines

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Keisuke Shiga, 36, serves in the working dog unit at Iruma Air Base in Sayama, Saitama Prefecture. While the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) is best known for its aerobatic Blue Impulse team, this specialized unit manages dogs that play vital roles in guarding against intruders and assisting during disasters. As both a trainer and handler, Shiga plays a central role in the team's operations.

His partner is Jasmine, a four-year-old female Belgian Shepherd Malinois. Intelligent and courageous, Jasmine thrives on challenges and trains daily on the base without fail.

JASDF working dogs have traditionally been tasked with detecting suspicious individuals and explosives, using their keen senses and agility. Since the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, however, they have also been deployed to disaster zones to help search for survivors.

Disaster Response

Shiga and Jasmine were each dispatched for a week to major disaster sites, including the 2021 mudslides in Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture, and the Noto Peninsula earthquake. "We were able to perform exactly as we had trained — just like in the simulated rubble fields," he recalls.

Having shared both hardships and triumphs, Jasmine has become like family. "I've been with her since she was six months old, so she sees me as a parent and follows my commands faithfully. She trains hard every day because she wants to be praised," Shiga says with affection.

Praising his dependable partner, he adds, "I'll keep doing my best, always remembering that I represent the Self-Defense Forces and the trust the people of Japan place in us."

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Author: Kazuya Yanagihara, The Sankei Shimbun

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