ARGO THE DOG, A TSA CALENDAR STAR, PROTECTS AIR TRAVELERS BY SNIFFING OUT EXPLOSIVES

When Argo walks through the doors of Baltimore-Washington International Airport, he knows it’s time to work.

Argo, a 9-year-old black Labrador retriever, spends most of his waking hours patrolling the airport, his keen nose expertly tuned to detect potential explosives. He silently moves through crowds, sidling up behind passengers for a quick sniff. If he detects anything suspicious, he immediately alerts his handler, transportation security specialist Jonathan Lilly. With the busy holiday travel season approaching, the pair is gearing up for the extra workload ahead.

“It never ceases to amaze me what he can do,” Lilly said during a recent demonstration of Argo’s skills. “He’s just so good at it.”

Argo is one of 12 dogs featured in the 2025 TSA canine calendar. For his portrait, he’s pictured with an eager expression against the backdrop of the American flag, his eyes almost as if searching for someone to toss his beloved ball just outside the frame.

When he’s not posing for photos, Argo’s job is much more serious: keeping U.S. air travelers safe. During the demonstration, Argo was presented with a “decoy”—a person wearing a backpack containing a scent resembling potential explosives.

As the man casually walked toward the security line, Argo’s nose went to work. The moment he caught the scent, he dropped his nose to the ground, wagged his tail faster, and pulled Lilly toward the target. He was quickly rewarded with his favorite toy: a tennis ball on a string.

Argo celebrated his success, flinging the ball around with joy. Lilly followed up with a quick game of tug-of-war, and Argo’s tail never stopped wagging. Through the crowds of people and luggage, he sauntered happily, always the good boy.

The pair has been working together for seven years. While based at Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) Airport, they’ve traveled to Super Bowls and other high-profile events to provide support. Lilly plans to adopt Argo when he retires, but that day is still a few years off.

“Even at 9 years old, he’s still like a puppy,” Lilly said. “He still wants to work.”

Lilly said that from day one, he and Argo made a great team, and their bond has only deepened over the years.

TSA dogs, like Argo, are highly trained to detect subtle air currents left behind by people, similar to the wake created by a boat. Their sense of smell is so advanced that they can identify individual components of a scent. While humans might just notice the overall aroma of pizza, dogs can detect the cheese, sauce, and crust separately.

Argo and Lilly were both trained at the National TSA Canine Training Center in San Antonio, where they completed a rigorous 16-week program before being assigned to BWI. Even after all this time, they continue to undergo regular training and testing to ensure Argo remains at the top of his game.

“This ongoing training helps us ensure he stays proficient, but it’s also necessary because it’s a perishable skill,” Lilly explained.

Lilly emphasized that having explosives detection dogs patrolling airports serves a dual purpose: not only do they detect threats, but their presence also acts as a deterrent to potential wrongdoers.

When he’s not working, Argo spends most of his downtime napping. Lilly described the black Labrador as incredibly laid-back at home. As a government employee, Argo follows a strict diet to maintain his health. Like many of his human colleagues, he looks forward to a good meal after a long, productive day.