JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Sleek black fur, dark eyed with a dominating presence, he and his handler begin their daily Random Antiterrorism Measures to ensure the safety of Joint Base Andrews. They enter the parking lot, filled with dozens of cars, none of which seem particularly peculiar, but it is up to the duo to "sniff" out the unseen.
They circle the vehicle, thoroughly and systematically, and as if in their own secret language, the dog responds, alerting the handler that once again they have successfully uncovered a controlled substance.
Nero holds the record for the most military working dog controlled dangerous substance finds on Joint Base Andrews.
Within approximately two months, Staff Sgt. Edward Slaughter, 11th Wing Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, and Nero have uncovered nearly one pound of controlled substances. Together, they have had a total of about 15 narcotic busts since the end of Sept. 2010.
'Nero the Hero,' 11th Wing Security Forces Squadron MWD section narcotic detector dog, has been on Andrews for approximately four and a half years.
Prior to his assignment at Andrews, Nero was trained from a puppy in the 341st Training Squadron at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio.
During his time on Andrews, Nero has had a total of five handlers including his current handler Sergeant Slaughter.
Six year Security Forces officer, Sergeant Slaughter, has been assigned to the MWD unit on Andrews for about one year.
"It's exciting, the dog is like your best friend, and you work with them every day," said Sergeant Slaughter.
"Nero has really shined once he teamed up with Staff Sergeant Slaughter," said Technical Sgt. Jessica Regnier, 11 SFS MWD trainer. "I have lost track of how many finds they have together as a team. Staff Sgt. Slaughter and Nero have a very special bond."
"One of our most successful busts happened when I didn't even know he was working," said Sergeant Slaughter. "I was just walking him around and he responded on an area."
Staff Sergeant says he never doubts Nero when he responds on an area.
"He never lies," said Staff Sergeant Slaughter.
On a typical work day, Sergeant Slaughter and Nero follow a routine. First he completes a health check-up on Nero to ensure that he is doing well and is without injury or changes in his health. This includes grooming him, and making sure Nero is fed. It's a lot like caring for a pet, said Sergeant Slaughter.
Afterward, Nero and Sergeant Slaughter begin their shift during which they perform all of their training and RAMs for the day.
"We continuously train to perfect him in his required tasks, and to teach him new ones," said Sergeant Slaughter.
"Nero enjoys his job, especially when he is doing well because he likes to show off," said Sergeant Slaughter.
At the end of a hard day of work, Nero is rewarded with praise and is able to play with his toys. "He knows that we are a team and that he has to do his part or else the day won't be fun for him," said Sergeant Slaughter.
"We take a lot of the crime off of the base making it a safer, better place for everyone to work and live," said Sergeant Slaughter.