A new partner, best friend

  • Published
  • By Master Sergeant Mark Winklosky
  • 911th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PITTSBURGH IAP ARS --  As a traditional reservist performing monthly unit training assemblies and yearly annual tours, Master Sgt. Tim Crane works as a chaplain's assistant. Although Crane's civilian employment is unrelated to his duties here at the 911th Airlift Wing, they are related in commitment to public service and protection of others.
Crane works as a police officer for the City of Pittsburgh Police Department K9 unit as a dog handler. Since 2006, he has been without a dog due to previous K9, Madchen, his partner on the streets for almost 8-years, became too old to carry on her duties in patrol narcotics.
Recently, Crane was assigned his new partner, Sonic, a 20-month-old male German Shepherd. Sonic will spend the next three months at the Pittsburgh Police Academy learning what it takes to be an explosive detection K9.