Meet Argo: The Faithful Labrador Who Keeps Travelers Safe at BWI Airport.

Argo, a 9-year-old black Labrador retriever, spends his workdays at Baltimore-Washington International Airport detecting explosives. He walks through the airport and sniffs passengers to identify any suspicious smells. His handler is Jonathan Lilly, a transportation security specialist. Together, they are preparing for the upcoming busy holiday travel season.

Lilly is amazed by what Argo can do during demonstrations. Argo is also highlighted in a 2025 TSA canine calendar, showing his importance and recognition. During one demonstration, Argo detected a decoy, a person with a backpack that smelled like explosives. He signaled by pulling Lilly toward the target and was immediately rewarded with his favorite toy, a tennis ball on a string.

After successful detection, Argo plays with his toy and engages in a tug-of-war game with Lilly. Despite his focus during work, Argo is cheerful and enjoys being around people at the airport. Lilly and Argo have worked together for seven years at BWI and occasionally provide security at significant events like Super Bowls. Lilly plans to adopt Argo when the dog retires, which is still a few years away.

Argo remains energetic and eager to work despite being 9 years old. His bond with Lilly has strengthened significantly over the years. TSA dogs like Argo are trained to detect specific scents like parts of explosives. They track air currents behind people, smelling individual components unlike humans, who might just recognize the whole scent.

Argo was trained at the National TSA Canine Training Center in San Antonio, where he and Lilly completed a 16-week program. They keep training regularly to maintain and enhance Argo's explosive detection skills. Off duty, Argo is relaxed and enjoys napping. He follows a strict diet to stay healthy and is quite laid-back when not working.