The Global War on Terror has spread through the world and has coerced terrorists to improve their tactics against coalition forces. Improvised Explosive Devices have become the weapon of choice on the battlefield causing unacceptable losses. Hungary, as an active NATO member, shares in the international effort and got its first wake-up call in Iraq, when the first Hungarian soldier died in an IED attack. The question is not the necessity of a Counter Improvised Explosive strategy anymore. And while budget constraints limit innovations and developments, the soldiers' protection cannot be negotiable. The Military Working Dogs program in the United States provides the soldiers more than early warnings against the threat. They are reliable and respected partners, who do their best in the same fight. This program can provide acceptable and feasible part of the Hungarian Defense Forces Counter Improvised Explosive Devices strategy concept for a long-term period. The thesis examines the benefits, advantages and caveats of the program, and considers how an integrated a system could improve the nation's counter strategy capability.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)