The Navy’s Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center has awarded a contract to McLean, Va.-based Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) to care for service animals that are trained to support port security missions. Under SAIC’s care, the dolphins and sea lions have helped the Navy monitor base perimeters and waters since 1986. Dolphins use their highly developed sonar capabilities, and sea lions use ability to see in very little light, to identify potentially dangerous objects for removal from the sea floor. The contract calls for SAIC to care for animals now working at the Kings Bay, Ga., Point Loma, Calif., and San Diego, Calif., naval submarine bases.
