517 Training Group, local law enforcement inspect dorms

  • Published
  • By 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs

The 517 Training Group and police departments from two local counties collaborated to execute a Health and Welfare Inspection at the Presidio of Monterey, California.

Sixteen police officers and eight police dogs from five local police departments inspected 475 dorm rooms in 10 dormitories, housing over 900 Airmen. The purpose of the inspection was to check on the condition of dorm rooms, ensure personnel are doing well, and deter possession and use of dangerous drugs. Indicative of good order and discipline, no drugs were found.

The canine coordination established procedures and set a benchmark to combat possession and use of dangerous drugs for all four military services assigned to the Presidio of Monterey. The scale of this operation set the standard for future Air Force Health and Welfare Inspections, and the other military services are in line to plan similar events.

The inspection helped strengthen partnerships with local law enforcement, which benefited from the training environment for their working dogs due to decreases in suitable locations as a result of COVID 19. The Air Force benefited from the canine officers’ no cost presence, which serve as a deterrent to those tempted to have drug paraphernalia while enforcing the Air Force’s zero-tolerance policy for dangerous drugs. Officers from the Presidio of Monterey Police Department, Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, Salinas Police Department, Marina Police Department, and the California Highway Patrol participated in the Health and Welfare Inspections and narcotics canine sweeps.

Col. Stephanie Kelley, 517 TRG commander, solicited 43 staff members to assist in the Health and Welfare Inspections. Senior Master Sgt. Martha Burkhead, 311 Training Squadron First Sergeant, and Tech. Sgt Jamaal Sanders, 311 TRS Military Training Leader Assistant Flight Chief, coordinated the efforts with Deputy Chief of Police David Armacost, Presidio of Monterey Police Department.