First MWD at Meridian in 11 years

MERIDIAN, Miss. - Naval Air Station Meridian introduced its newest 5-year-old Security Forces member on Aug. 14, Military Working Dog (MWD) Baba, a male German Shepherd. Baba and his handler, Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Jonathan White performed a demonstration of the dog’s attack and obedience abilities. Baba has been a Navy MWD since two when he graduated from the doggie boot camp at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He previously served at Naval Station Mayport and NAS Jacksonville, Fla., before arriving in Meridian. The entire time Baba’s been at NASM, he’s shown a “good amount of progression … and to be honest, he has taught me much more than I have taught him,” White said. Baba is White’s first MWD. They spend 6-to-10 hours a day together. In addition to Baba and his handler, NAS Meridian is home to three more trained dog handlers who are waiting to be paired with MWDs and a Kennel Master. NASM last had military working dogs in 2007. (Source: NAS Meridian 08/15/18)