MWD retires, reunites with former trainer Published April 25, 2014 By Donovan Jackson 42nd Air Base Wing MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- The 42nd Security Forces Squadron adopted out one of its military working dogs and held a meritorious service and retirement ceremony for her April 18. Alissa/R698 retired because of a degenerative disc and joint disease that rendered her unable to perform the duties necessary to complete base missions. "Alissa is a fantastic dog," said Staff Sgt. Adam Bearden, a 42nd SFS military working dog trainer. "Unfortunately, Alissa's injuries were noticed within her first year of being assigned to Maxwell. While stationed here, she has worked as diligently as she could and she will be greatly missed." Although Alissa was only stationed at Maxwell for two years, Tech. Sgt. Timothy Evans of the 42nd SFS military working dog section said that Alissa's record is outstanding, even though it's short. "Alissa has spent over 1,100 hours as a commercial vehicle inspector at gate three (Kelly Street)," said Evans. "Also, people may be surprised to know that in 2013, at Gunter Annex, Alissa was called in to respond to a suspicious package by clearing the surrounding area in proximity of the package. Her investigation of the area allowed us to provide a safe route for the explosive ordinance disposal unit to further investigate the package." According to Evans, the suspicious package turned out to be a bag owned by a person who utilized polyvinyl chloride pipes in his workout regimen by filling them with water and substituting them for weights. "Alissa's efforts in that response were exemplary," Evans said. Though Alissa is unable to continue serving as a MWD, she was adopted by her former trainer, retired Tech. Sgt. Steve Montez. "I'm really looking forward to Alissa living in my home and becoming a part of my family," said Montez. "I actually trained her and her previous handler at Lackland Air Force Base (in San Antonio). I'm very familiar with her; she is familiar with me. All that's left is to take her home and give her as much love as I am capable of giving her."