K9 Buda plays a critical role in sniffing out crime and protecting the American public by detecting explosive threats before they can cause harm.
Buda is a German Shorthaired Pointer and is one of 18 highly trained canines in the Coast Guard’s Canine Explosive Detection Teams (CEDTs), established in 2003 at designated Deployable Specialized Forces units.
Mission of Coast Guard’s Canine Explosive Detection Teams
For five years, Buda and his handler, Petty Officer First Class Chase Leamer, have detected potential explosives across maritime infrastructures and at high-traffic public events. The other CEDT canines operate in similar capacities nationwide, supporting critical homeland security missions.
Ty Nagie, the headquarters program manager of the Maritime Security Response Teams (MSRT), explained that the program gives the Coast Guard a rapid deployable capacity to detect explosives in maritime environments. Nagie said, “These canines are trained to detect a range of explosive compounds and to provide regular support to the Coast Guard and other agency’s operational commanders.”
Leamer said he and Buda’s work is primarily preventative. “We arrive at large-scale events before the public and conduct thorough sweeps to ensure no explosive devices have been planted,” he said. “Much of what we do serves as a visible deterrent, helping to prevent incidents before they occur.”
Coast Guard canine teams often deploy to support major events such as the Super Bowl, Formula One races, and community outreach and recruiting events across the nation.
“A lot of the time, local or partnering law enforcement agencies hosting large events don’t have their own explosive detection canine teams,” Leamer said. “In those cases, they’ll request support from the Coast Guard and other federal partners and some events may involve up to 40 canine teams working behind the scenes before the crowds arrive.”
Beyond public events, Leamer and Buda also provide explosives detection support for Coast Guard boat operations and critical port infrastructure sweeps when credible threats emerge. Schools are also within the team’s purview. “It’s been rewarding to respond to threats at schools and to give the parents and the administration some peace of mind,” said Leamer.
CEDT canines are highly trained and carefully selected for the operational demands of the mission. “We’re paired with what’s known as a high-drive dog—an animal that remains focused and responsive in the most stressful and dynamic environments,” Leamer explained.
Clearly, Buda exemplifies those qualities. In recognition of his operational excellence and community engagement, K9 Buda was named the 2023 American Humane Military Hero Dog of the Year for his work in operations, job fairs and partnership-in-education events.
Another highlight of Leamer and Buda’s partnership was creating a custom training for a 17-member team deploying to INDOPACOM. They drew from their experience with explosive training and IED awareness courses, working alongside the FBI and several local bomb detection agencies to shape the curriculum.
Details of Working as a Canine Handler
Working with a canine has been life-changing for Leamer. Coast Guard handlers are granted only one tour, typically a minimum of six years and up to eight with extensions.
Prospective handlers are required to be Maritime Enforcement Specialists at the E-4 or E-5 level and should seek assignment to Maritime Security Response Teams or Maritime Safety and Security Teams. Once selected, handlers attend a rigorous three-month canine handler course through the Transportation Security Administration in San Antonio, Texas, where they are paired with a canine based on operational requirements.
Leamer serves as part of the Direct Action Section at Maritime Security Response Team West, a specialized unit focused on Short Notice Maritime Response. While he often deploys with K9 Buda as part of a small, mission-tailored team, he values the trust involved in executing high-profile operations. “It’s rewarding to have that level of autonomy,” he said. “The command provides the mission parameters, and I execute.” Leamer maintains both operational readiness and canine proficiency through regular integration with his team and formal evaluations.
“If you are assigned and selected to become a canine handler, the care and training of the dog will become your primary job,” Nagie said. “Canines live with their handlers who are expected to be on short recalls to respond to threats, both to Coast Guard operations, as well as, those of our interagency partners.”
When a dog retires, then the handlers have the opportunity to adopt them. “We don’t have to take the dog,” said Leamer, “but I haven’t seen a handler yet that hasn’t’ adopted theirs.” Jokingly he added, “Besides my wife would kill me if I didn’t but even if she wouldn’t--he’s my best friend.”
Home Life for Buda
Outside of work, Buda is fully integrated into the Leamer family. Leamer and his wife Kelsey enjoy taking Buda and their other dog, Ollie, on walks to local coffee shops and to the beach. Ollie is a 19-pound Golden Doodle and is surprisingly the Alpha according to Leamer.
Leamer and his wife volunteer at a local animal shelter, where he helps train dogs and, Leamer said he is “usually sent into the cages with the big dogs.”
“I’ve learned a lot,” he said of his experience with K9 Buda. And clearly, Buda has had just as strong of an impact—both as part of the Leamer family and the Coast Guard’s.
For more information about the Canine Explosive Detection Team (CEDT) contact CG-721. Also, check-out K9 Buda’s own Instagram handle @K9_Buda.
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