K-9 Bikkel’s career celebrated after 35 years of service at AEDC

  • Published
  • By Raquel March
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. --  After five years of service at Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) - 35 in dog years, K-9 police officer Bikkel is retiring.

In a retirement ceremony held on Oct. 21, Bikkel's colleagues joined in celebrating his service and the multiple awards he has earned throughout the years at the Complex.

Bikkel, an eight-year-old Belgian Malinois, was trained as an explosive detection dog in 2007 at the Vohne Liche Kennels and was deployed to work in Iraq on a two-year contract. While deployed to Iraq, he detected improvised explosive devices (IED), saving American lives.

In 2009, Bikkel started working at AEDC where he has searched approximately 43,200 vehicles entering the Arnold Air Force Base mission area, under the direction of Arnold Police Officer Jason Layne.

Arnold Police Chief Don Miller commented about Bikkel's service to other areas in addition to AEDC at the retirement ceremony.

"Bikkel's expertise has been highly sought after by our county, city, state and federal law enforcement agencies. He provided support to many DVs [distinguished visitors] most notably to First Lady Barbara Bush, Sir Elton John and the Israeli Ambassador," Miller said. "In addition he also served as an ambassador to the base; to the local communities by providing support to school searches, homeland security operations, K-9 demonstrations and numerous assists to local law enforcement agencies."

Layne said Bikkel will reside with his family as a pet and he will enjoy his retirement playing fetch with a favorite toy, a tennis ball. Layne plans to retrain Bikkel to detect deer antlers.

ATA has attained a new K-9 police officer, Bo, a two-year-old Belgian Malinois. His handler is Arnold Police Officer Aaron Cheney.

Bikkel's Awards

2010 Police Canine Olympics:
1st Place- Explosive Vehicle Exterior
1st Place- Explosive Vehicle Interior
3rd Place- Explosive Scramble
3rd Place- Explosive Open Area Search

2011 Police Canine Olympics:
3rd Place -Residential Search
3rd Place -Explosive Vehicle Exterior
3rd Place -Explosive Luggage

2012 Police Canine Olympics:
1st Place - Vehicle Interior Event,
1st Place - Warehouse Detection Event
1st Place - Explosive Building Event
1st Place - Detection Team Overall
3rd Place - Explosive Luggage Event
3rd Place - Patrol Team Overall