TEDD Howard
The 82nd Airborne Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team employed a unique tactic against the increasing improvised explosive device threat in Afghanistan: Tactical Explosive Detection Dogs. The TEDD teams are sent into the field to accompany foot patrols where they are effective in detecting potential IED threats. Unlike traditional Military Working Dog teams, TEDD teams are different in that their handlers are regular infantrymen from the brigade, who have been given additional specialized training in working with the dogs for this deployment. Having handlers that are infantrymen by trade, instead of career dog handlers, has allowed them to implement their skills in ways the brigade feels traditional teams could not. The brigade trained and deployed 18 TEDD dogs and handlers during their 2012 deployment in Afghanistan.