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Operation Canyon Thunder

UHP Explosive Detection K9s Train with Utah Bomb Squad Task Force

Troopers Colvin and Elmer and their K9 partners Arros and Rocco recently participated in the Utah Bomb Squad Task Force’s Operation Canyon Thunder, one of two annual training sessions the task force hosts.

Trooper Elmer poses next to K9 Rocco by Trooper Elmer's UHP vehicle.
Trooper Colvin stands next to Arros by Trooper Colvin's UHP Vehicle.
Box on table has label that reads "Danger Explosives Do not open unless you are a bomb technician."
Container is open and shows a notebook labeled "K9 detection of peroxides."
Bomb techs and bomb squad members utilize equipment to control a robot as part of a training scenario.

The training brings together all eight bomb squads in Utah, the ATF, FBI and explosive detection K9s from around the state and was held at the Utah County Sheriff’s Office shooting range in Thistle.

  • UTA Officer runs K9 Daisy through explosive detection exercises.
    UTA Officer runs K9 Daisy through explosive detection exercises.
  • West Jordan Officer runs K9 Beau through explosive detection exercises.
    West Jordan Officer runs K9 Beau through explosive detection exercises.
  • South Salt Lake Fire Firefighter Mike Jones runs K9 Midas through explosive detection exercises.
    South Salt Lake Fire Firefighter Mike Jones runs K9 Midas through explosive detection exercises.
  • UTA officer runs K9 Kaiya through explosive detection exercises.
    UTA officer runs K9 Kaiya through explosive detection exercises.
  • UTA officer runs K9 Lucky through explosive detection exercises.
    UTA officer runs K9 Lucky through explosive detection exercises.
  • UTA Officer runs K9 Bobbie through explosive detection exercises.
    UTA Officer runs K9 Bobbie through explosive detection exercises.
Trooper Elmer and K9 Rocco participate in a K9 integration bomb squad scenario.

For one part of the training, the K9s participated in detection exercises for substances including peroxide and TATP.

Trooper Elmer and K9 Rocco participate in a K9 detection exercise.
Trooper Elmer and K9 Rocco participate in a K9 detection exercise - K9 Rocco sniffs and Trooper Elmer walks behind him.

Three of the hides were buried on one of the shooting ranges and another large hide was in a nearby vehicle. 

K9 Rocco sniffs the ground.

K9s Arros and Rocco searched both scenes and located all of the hides.

Aerial view of K9 Arros sniffing a vehicle as Trooper Colvin holds his leash.
Trooper Elmer walks alongside a red car as K9 Rocco sniffs the trunk.

A key portion of the training featured the integration of explosive detection K9s into bomb squad scenarios. 

Trooper Elmer and K9 Rocco participate in a K9 integration bomb squad scenario.

The goal of this aspect of the training is to teach bomb squads about K9s and how they are an asset that can support their operations and to help K9 handlers understand what bomb squads do.

Trooper Colvin and K9 Arros discuss the training scenario with a member of the Utah Bomb Squad Task Force.

In one scenario, the bomb squad is called in for a suspicious package.

During a perimeter sweep while checking for secondary devices, the K9’s indication leads to the discovery of an explosive device on the suspect’s vehicle. 

Aerial view of K9 Arros sniffing a vehicle as Trooper Colvin holds his leash as part of a bomb training scenario.
Aerial view of K9 Arros sniffing a vehicle as Trooper Colvin holds his leash as part of a bomb training scenario.

The bomb squad then sets up a package disruption.

Utah Bomb Squad Task Force members participate in a training scenario - and assist one member with putting on a bomb suit.
The first half of a wire connected to a device that will disrupt a package lights up.
A section of detonation cord lights up as part of a package disruption.
The second half of a wire connected to a device that will disrupt a package lights up.
A second section of detonation cord lights up as part of a package disruption.

In the second scenario, a threat is called into a school, so students have been told to leave all of their bags and evacuate. A K9 is deployed to detect for explosive odors on the bags and subsequently locates an explosive odor in one of the bags.  

Aerial view of K9 Rocco sniffing suitcases as Trooper Elmer watches him.
K9 Rocco sniffs suitcases set up on the gun range at Thistle.
K9 Rocco indicates on a suitcase by sitting down next to it.
K9 Rocco indicates on an explosive odor.

The bomb squad then sends in a robot to disrupt the package.

A robot positions a water canon near a suitcase before disrupting the package.
Utah Bomb Squad Task Force member participate in scenario training - one of them points out information as others listen.
Utah Bomb Squad Task Force members participate in a training scenario, walking out to suitcases placed on a shooting range.

Operation Canyon Thunder provides a great opportunity for our explosive detection K9 teams to train and network with bomb squads and other explosive detection K9 units. We are grateful to the Utah Bomb Squad Task Force for planning and hosting this training as we all work toward the goal of keeping Utah safe.

K9 Rocco walking with his Kong toy in his mouth.

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