K9 Commando: Police and Army Dogs from New York to Berlin

Either way, whatever it was, it didn't get close enough to worry about so that was cool by us. The paras on the hill also told me about how there were some mongrels that looked like they had gone wild and were roaming around in a pack. Mama and Papa had run them off as well, taking care of a potential problem in their own sort of dog way.

So much for disease dogs in the wire. For a while at Tuzla air base there was a shoot-on-sight order in effect for dogs seen within the perimeter. This caused quite a row, I was told when, the Americans first arrived. Seems that some Danish U. Quite the uproar, I was told, and the Americans chilled out after that. But that is Tuzla HQ and things tend to be tighter closer to the flag of command.

Since August, , there's help now for the 'dogs of war' in Bosnia. At the request of the British government and their Army, the Horsham base charity, RSPCA, has gone into Bosnia to help with the plight of companion animals throughout the country. RSPCA has conducted a number of seminars for the dog catchers of Bosnia and has donated thousands of pounds worth of equipment to assist in the more humane treatment and care of the animals. According to their Spanish Army Review: This follow-up specialized unit grew out of the S.

Its basic concept was to combine, and blend the skills of highly trained infantry and expert trackers with the mobility granted by horses and motorcycles and the special abilities of well trained dogs and their handlers. As in any counter insurgency, the major difficulty faced by the SWAS was actually coming to grips with the insurgents A composite unit of SWASpes had three main wings: The primary advantage that the mounties enjoyed over their foot mobile opposition was that of mobility, in terms of both speed and endurance. This mobility edge was fully exploited by the SWASpes, who learnt the 'art of tracking' while riding horseback.

The motorcyclists enjoyed much the same advantages as did the mounties, modified by a greater potential speed bought at the cost of noise. Dogs were used by both wing elements quite successfully! In South Africa during the s, a total of dogs were being used, and 1, horses. And what even the most skilled trackers couldn't achieve, well trained and handled dogs often could, a fact that was not lost on the security forces. SWASpes used several breeds of dogs, each in different roles.

The Alsatian German Shepherd remained the favourite dog, combining a good nose with discipline, intelligence, controllable aggresiveness and an alert nature, but preference in tracking went to the Labrador, and the Australian Sheepdog, although Alsatians, Bloodhounds and a Doberman - Rottweiler cross were also used with success. The directorate was founded in , when the need arose for fulltime care of the animals used by the South African Defence Force. This entailed, not only medical care for the animals, but also nutrition, housing and breeding programs.

These remain the main priorities of the directorate, and have been expanded to such a degree that there are presently SA military veterinarians who only involve themselves exclusively with breeding, and medical care of, and surgery on all SADF animals. In the 's, during involvement of the South African Defence Force in Namibia, veterinarians were deeply involved in the health and care of horses and dogs used in the bush war.

During the war, service dogs were primarily used for tracking, detection of explosives and drugs; and the horses were used for patrol work. Various follow-up operations and even attacks were performed on horseback. SWASpes Introduced The Irish Packhound Concept During the early s, the SWASpes introduced the counter insurgency application of the Irish Packhound concept; using dogs to track, run down, and corner the quarry for the infantry or more practical, the mounties to deal with. It takes little imagination to realize, that this combination of mounties 'n pack dogs was one few insurgents could elude.

It is, in fact, very much the combination of the mobility of the mounties via horse or motorcycle and the skill of the tracker, dog combination, that made the SWASpes what it was. To illustrate this by an example: A tracker team on a follow up, picked up a relatively old spoor early one morning. A mountie section with their own trackers took it over from them, and continued to follow the spoor thru out the day. By darkness, they had made up alot of ground, that the spoor was fresh enough for dogs to pickup and follow. Early the following morning, the insurgents found their entire day ruined by the arrival of troops just as they were about to move on.

Unit Palgat SAR. The Unit was founded in by Yossi Lebook, who became its commanding officer. Lebook approached IDFs Army Chief of Staff at the time, Haim Bar Lev, with the idea of setting up the unit of dogs and trainers to assist the military in combating terrorist attacks. Bar Lev agreed and the Dog Unit became a great success. Once classified as "top secret," it first became known publicly, after the failed SF Operation, named "Blue and Brown. The Unit consists of 4 sections: Dobes, Bloodhounds, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, and others.

The specific training methods of the Dog Unit are secret. The trainers are specially selected and are instructed for eighteen months; only then, do they receive the dog with whom they'll work for the rest of their service. In , Palga Terror dogs were used in Operation: Operation "Blue and Brown" Dec. IDF staff decided that it would be impossible to take them out by air assault Several units were involved in the raids: A high casuality rate was expected! Photo Courtesy of A.

Dogs of Berlin

Susterman Former Palga Terror Rottweiler! Four of the dogs, Rottweilers, were killed immediately by the terrorists. Everything that could go wrong Then it was up to the Special Forces ground units to clear the caves, but the heavy fortifications bogged them down and they had to be extracted by helicopters under heavy fire with one of their commanders killed.

To make matters worst, a squad of 4 men was missing, and the Sayeret Golany's commander that was killed, was carrying sensitive classified maps and equipment, which was captured by the terrorist. December 9th, The Rescue! Once contact was made with the missing squad, IAF fighter bombers were sent in to keep the Palestinian forces pinned down, enabling a rescue attempt. The close proximity of the terrorists however, prevented rescue helicopters from landing and the Cobra gunships were sent in! Under very heavy fire, a pair of Cobras descended towards the stranded soldiers and carried them on their skids to the Navy boats waiting off the Lebanese coast.

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The entire operation failure was published by the Israeli media, setting off a public outcry, about the high loss of soldiers, and particularly the way the dogs were used. To read more about Unit Oket'z ; their weapons, how the handlers and dogs are trained; what happens to the dogs when they can't be retrained, it will surprise you And now, that confrontation was over.

Thereafter, he was ordered to the depot in Munich. He wrote to his commanding officer, Hauptmann Fritz Wiedemann , asking that he be recalled to the regiment because he could not tolerate Munich when he knew his comrades were at the Front. On 15 October , he and several comrades were temporarily blinded —and according to Friedelind Wagner , [25] Hitler also lost his voice— due to a British mustard-gas attack. After initial treatment, Hitler was hospitalized in Pasewalk in Pomerania.

I knew immediately that it would be realized. Hitler wanted to remain in the army after the war, but this was impossible with the near total disbandment of Germany's armed forces. He returned to Munich for demobilization. While monitoring the activities of the DAP, Hitler became attracted to the founder Anton Drexler 's antisemitic, nationalist, anti-capitalist , and anti-Marxist ideas. After Hitler became the leader of the Nazi Party , he began acquiring paramilitary -like titles and using Nazi Party paramilitary uniforms to denote his position.

In the late s, Hitler occasionally wore a black uniform, but this was during a period when Hitler was emulating Benito Mussolini. Hitler's admiration for the Italian dictator later faded as Germany became more powerful than her Italian ally and Mussolini was, in the end, looked down upon by Hitler as a puppet-dictator under German control. During Nazi rallies at Nuremberg in the early s, Hitler temporarily wore the Nuremberg Party Day Badge , but discontinued this after about Six days after being sworn in as Chancellor in , Hitler met with the German military leaders, declaring that his first priority was rearmament.

Officers were instructed to mingle with other ranks. Blomberg's decree on the army and National Socialism on 25 May ordered: I request that this guidance be given the most serious attention. The American William L. Shirer reported that all ranks ate the same rations, socialized when off duty, and that officers were concerned with their men's personal problems.

On 1 August , a new law stated that on Hindenburg's death the presidency would be abolished, and its powers merged with those of the Chancellor. As head of state, Hitler became supreme commander of all armed forces. The new office was confirmed by a plebiscite on 19 August Blomberg, on his own initiative, introduced the Oath of 2 August Hitler guided the steps of their rearmament, thanks to his retentive memory and interest in technical questions.

General Alfred Jodl wrote that Hitler's "astounding technical and tactical vision led him also to become the creator of modern weaponry for the army". Write to Yochi J. Military working dog team inspects potential 22,gallon bomb. For one dog handler, Staff Sgt. Joseph Null, and his dog, Lucca, this task took an interesting turn. This is an important, though dangerous step, he said. But IEDs weren't the only threat posed by the abandoned truck. It was carrying 22, gallons of gas, potentially turning the truck into a massive fuel bomb. For 45 agonizing minutes, Sergeant Null and Lucca searched the area, the handler waiting for the working dog to give him some sign that all wasn't well with the tanker truck.

This is what I signed up to do. Somebody's got to do it, right? If my dog had sat, I would have praised her and gotten back to the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle as quick as possible to report what had happened. At this point, it was Lucca's show. The German Shepherd would either sit, indicating the presence of a bomb, or she wouldn't. We've been together since June and I couldn't count the number of hours we've spent together.

It's like having a best friend. You think on that same wavelength. My dog goes and does her job, and you know what to look for while she does her job. If you can't trust the dog, you shouldn't be out there anyway. Eight hours later, the truck was finally pulled free of the sand, and the convoy made its way back to base. Sergeant Null said that although his primary mission is inside the wire, he's more than willing to go out again if called upon.

You get to play with a dog and get paid pretty well for it. You can't beat that. Alan Metzler, th Air Expeditionary Group commander, said Joint Expeditionary Tasking Airmen like Sergeant Null are providing critical services in the joint environment and excelling at it. Airmen like him demonstrate the Air Force's commitment to our mission in Iraq. Rambo sounds the warning as soon as the kennel door at Bolling Air Force Base creaks open, a ferocious, thunderous bark as loud and persistent as a jackhammer.

In the next stalls, Rocky goes berserk, spinning in tight circles like a top, and Jess, ears perked, bounces excitedly up and down. He stays silent, his head bowed, ears bent. He stands motionless, averting his gaze. Timothy Evans, his trainer. The dog is also an Iraq war veteran, and according to his medical file, he has nightmares "characterized by violent kicking.

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan aren't just forcing thousands of soldiers and Marines to deploy for two and three tours. The sacrifice is being shared by a key, and growing, part of the U. In a war with no front lines, they have become valuable at sniffing out makeshift bombs, which cause most U. The use of dogs in war, whether as scouts, sentries or trackers, goes back hundreds of years.

Some service members say the dogs' ability to sniff out bombs and insurgents makes them as indispensable as a rifle or flak jacket. And they believe that the dogs' heroism should be rewarded. War Dogs Association is trying to persuade the Pentagon to create a medal for dogs. Another group is pushing for a military working dog memorial in the Washington area. And the Humane Society, which criticized the Pentagon during the Vietnam War, when many dogs were left behind or euthanized, has credited the military with working to find retirement homes for them.

Like new recruits, the dogs enter the military through boot camp, where they learn the canine version of soldiering: They are exposed to the rat-tat-tat of rifles, loud noises and explosions so they can learn to stay cool under fire. Although they are taught to bite and hold the enemy, they are not trained to kill, officials said. It's impossible to estimate how many lives the dogs have 0saved, said Master Sgt. Robert Tremmel, manager of the Air Force's working dogs program at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, where the dogs -- and dog trainers from different branches of the military -- are initially trained.

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In Iraq and Afghanistan, "they're finding ammunition," he said. One of the most notorious photos from the Abu Ghraib prison scandal was of a dog handler holding a dog inches from a detainee's face. The handler was one of two soldiers convicted of using dogs to intimidate detainees. And officials at the U. Rumsfeld approved techniques that used "detainees' individual phobias [such as fear of dogs] to induce stress," according to a military memo Rumsfeld signed in December At Andrews Air Force Base, which has the largest K-9 unit in the region, two dog teams recently deployed.

In addition to military dogs, 38 contractor dog teams are in Afghanistan and about dogs across Iraq. Since the terrorist attacks, 11 military dogs have been killed in combat, Tremmel said. Former Air Force Tech Sgt. Harvey Holt and his dog, Jackson, officially it's "Jjackson," with the double "J" signifying that he was bred by the Defense Department were pinned down by sniper fire in while on patrol outside Baquba, north of Baghdad.

During a break in the fire, he took his dog, a Belgian Malinois, through the field to find the sniper. Jackson picked up a scent, sprinted toward a bale of hay, jumped in head first and pulled the sniper out by his calf, Holt said. Like other handlers, Holt, who is now a police officer in Indiana, was often attached to many different units, depending on who needed a canine's special capabilities. As a result, Holt didn't form the "band of brothers" bonds with other soldiers, but rather with his dog. On cold nights, they shared a sleeping bag. The bond and trust I had in that dog was more than with any human being.

During his six-month tour in Iraq last year, Timi, a 5-year-old German shepherd, found about pounds of explosive material, Evans said, including a mm shell full of homemade explosives. Timi "is all business," he said. He took his time eating. He seemed to look at people out of the corners of his eyes, Evans said, following them.

He was kicking the. When I got him out of it, he'd have that bewildered look, and it would take him a minute to know where he was. Then he'd fall back asleep, and it would happen again and again. Although he doesn't like to use the term post-traumatic stress disorder with dogs, war can affect them emotionally, he said. In some cases, antidepressants have worked, he said, as have more playtime and more time performing the tasks they were trained to do. Timi's episodes did not affect his ability to work, which is when he seemed happiest, Evans said.

Since coming home, Timi has shown great progress, although in the kennel he is more subdued than the others. Still, Timi is one of the stars at Bolling, and his workload in the past several months has included trips to Camp David for the former president, to Paris for the former first lady and to New York in advance of an appearance by Sen. Now he's on his way back to Iraq, the second of what could be several tours. Amos Peterson, his veterinarian, signed off on Timi's ability to deploy. Air Force Staff Sgt.

Gaines, his new handler, said there is no one he would rather deploy with. Friday, November 21, at 8: This is the first time Marine Cpl. Zachary Briseno will be in his Fort Worth, Texas, home for Thanksgiving in four and a half years since his two tours of duty in Iraq.

Zach Briseno, a corporal with the Marines who lost his legs in Iraq, has been in Wilmington since Monday as he and his son Elijah right get familiar with the newest member of the family. Eve, a service dog trained my prisoners at Camp Lejeune through Carolina Canines for Veterans, will be helping Briseno with everyday tasks like doing the laundry and opening doors. Briseno, who lost both of his legs below the knees almost a year ago in an IED attack in Fallujah, is getting a specially trained guide dog to help him in his day-to-day tasks.

The dog was trained through Carolina Canines for Veterans, an adjunct program of the local nonprofit Carolina Canines for Service. Briseno got Even, his new service dog, a black Labrador with a white belly, at a ceremony Friday. Eve is the second dog released from the Veterans program since it started in January this year.

Trained in more than 70 commands, Eve can brace her back to help Briseno get off the floor. She can open doors, paw dropped keys out from under a car seat and pick things up off the floor if he drops something. Dogs are rescued from area shelters and given tests to make sure they suit the profile of a good service dog. Then they are taken to the military prison at Camp Lejeune where the dogs work with prisoners there along with trainers from Carolina Canines twice a week for seven to nine months.

To integrate them into everyday life, Marine volunteers take the dogs home to get them used to a home environment and out to grocery stores and other areas to socialize them. Carolina Canines officials said prisoners must have an overall positive institutional record and must be recommended by a prison psychologist. She added that the prisoners are beginning to take the dogs to anger management and other therapy groups in the prison to help their fellow prisoners. Though the group is pushing for government funding, right now, Carolina Canines pays for the veterans program through donations and grants.

The first veterans service dog was named Gabriel. Eve was rescued from a Myrtle Beach shelter. Now, the black Labrador can help her new owner turn off lights and retrieve his prosthetic legs. Briseno has spent this week in intensive training to learn how to Eve works. At the reception Tuesday, he worked with her to open a refrigerator door and bring him the salad dressing. He signals Eve warmly with kissy sounds. She responds to him quietly, sitting and watching his every move.

He also brought his 3-year-old son Elijah and his mother Mariana Rice. Back at home, Briseno will continue his trips to San Antonio for rehabilitation and his training to become a law enforcement officer. He also hopes to finish a few more marathons, having just completed one in Washington three weeks ago.

On the verge of medical retirement from the military, Briseno is looking forward to including Eve in this new chapter in his life. News Leader Most pet owners think their animal is special in some way. Benny is a retired member of the United States military. Debbie and her husband Mike, who live in the Pikeville area, adopted the German Shepherd earlier this year.

Benny came to the Kandolls through a program that allows civilians to adopt military war dogs once they retire. She said she first heard of the program around the time it began. Prior to that bill, once their service had ended, military war dogs were declared excess equipment by the military and euthanized. It was then that her husband brought the idea of adopting a military war dog back to the table. It was November 28 of last year that Mike agreed to adopt the dog, and Debbie began searching the next day.

But the process, she found, is not as simple as one would think. She had been directed to contact Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, which is where the military war dog program is based. However, she discovered through contacting the base that its more effective to contact local military bases that have a military war dog program, because they prefer to adopt dogs to local people.

Once she adopted Benny, Debbie said she noticed an eerie coincidence that affirms her faith that God had a hand in bringing Benny to her. Benny had been declared excess by the military on November 29, the same day Debbie began her search. And though it took her a while to get connected with him, Debbie said that her adoption of Benny literally saved his life — he was on the schedule to be euthanized. Debbie and her husband drove up to Virginia to pick up Benny on January 4. At first, the excitement was mingled with anxiety about how Benny, who had spent his entire life in a kennel, would adopt to the myriad of new situations before him.

But Benny has adjusted quite well. Debbie explained that when they first got Benny, he was not a mean-spirited animal, but he was very restrained. But as he got more comfortable, his personality began to shine through. Leg spasms have ceased since Benny adjusted to sleeping on soft cushions rather than concrete floors. Overall, Debbie said she is overjoyed by the new addition to her family. But her adoption of Benny brought her more than a furry friend. She feels that her experience with the process has given her a chance to spread the word about these dogs.

And Debbie feels that there is a lot of confusion and misinformation out there about how to go about adopting an animal like Benny.

So the former teacher and Air Force Reservist spends her days working with Benny and municipal organizations to have an open discussion about adopting animals, and the many benefits of doing so. Debbie has compiled a wealth of information about the process on the Internet, and is also willing to speak and work with anyone interested in adopting a war dog.

She is also assisting with a presentation about war dogs at the Memorial Day event in Pikeville. In addition to serving as an ambassador for the program, Benny volunteers as a therapy dog, and will soon be completely licensed. Earlier this month, he went with Seymour Johnson airmen to visit disabled veterans. She added that, even amongst the military personnel she encountered at Seymour Johnson, there was a lot of misinformation about how to adopt one of the dogs.

For an outline of the adoption process, click on the small picture of Benny. Mar 13, BY Spc. Bigenho 28th Public Affairs Detachment. SSDs are a unique group of canines "trained for the military operational environment to find firearms, ammunition and explosives during a variety of missions," said 1st Lt. Danielle Roche, 94th Engineer Detachment commander. She also said the dogs have become integral members of the team fighting the war on terrorism.

Their ability to detect explosives has saved lives and taken countless weapons off Iraq's streets. Materials commonly found by the dogs include TNT, C4, detonation cord, smokeless powder, mortars, weapons and tools, along with materials containing explosive residue used in IED making. SSDs are the first to deem an area clear of explosives. Like Soldiers, SSDs rely heavily on their battle buddies.

An SSD's battle buddy is his trainer, parent and friend. He is the SSD's handler, and their success as a team depends on their ability to work together. The dogs are fully obedient to their handlers both on and off the leash and under all types of conditions, Roche said. They are steady under gunfire, not distracted by wild or domesticated animals while working, capable of traveling by all types of transportation and react immediately to their handler's commands. Teams are able to search buildings, vehicles roads, open areas, airports, railway stations and household possessions.

Kory Wiens of the 94th Eng. Detachment has been with his dog, Cooper, for nearly a year. The year-old combat engineer said he's grateful to be a dog handler. When Wiens first met the yellow lab, the pup didn't know simple obedience commands. It's amazing to see how far he's come. He introduces Cooper to everybody as his son, and said being with him is just like watching a kid grow up.

They live together, work together and receive days off. The SSDs are required to have a minimum of six hours rest in every hour period. They work after sunset during the summer months due to extreme weather conditions. Most of the dogs in Roche's detachment are between two and four years old, which means they are still young and playful. Despite being puppies, they know the difference between work and play, Roche said. Once the harness goes on and his handler gives proper command, the SSD begins searching. When the dog is "on odor" or has sniffed an explosive scent, he will change his behavior and sit and stare at the source of scent.

They're just puppies playing around. As long as they have their drive for search and play, they'll work. Danny Rogers, a dog handler with the 25th Military Police Company, is "attacked" by Jordon, a military working dog, during a training exercise at the military-operations-in-urban-terrain training site at Bagram Air Base. To counteract the added dangers these dogs face in the line of duty, their ballistic vest equipment has been upgraded. However, with the additional dangers these dogs are facing during this deployment, they are now wearing vests that are not only stab proof, but also bullet proof.

They help us find the things we can't see. They go in before their handler. It is a matter of 'get them before they get you. They are our best friends. Every dog handler will agree that there is nothing we won't do to protect our dogs. Not often mentioned are the nonhuman counterparts within the ranks. Today, the dogs, who have an actual military service record book assigned to them, are still playing an active role in searching for explosives and seizing the enemy.

Colon, provost sergeant Multi National Force - West, and sergeant major of 2nd Military Police Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force, is in charge of making sure the dogs are safe when they are out with Marines and sailors on missions. Daily dog duties include trips to entry control points, maneuver and mobility support operations, cordon and knocks, main supply route security and mandatory training. Training is constant with the dogs. Each dog must be certified before entering the area of operation, and they must be recertified with their handler each year.

The dogs are not a replacement for service members, but instead, offer strengths in areas where humans may be weak. They are capable of working in any type of combat environment. Hansen, military working dog handler assigned to 2nd MP Battalion. The dogs know progression of force just as service members are taught. Different voice and hand signals are given to clarify what the dog is to do. The dog handlers are responsible for feeding, grooming and veterinary appointments.

The Army provides all veterinary needs at the kennels. The main purpose of the military working dogs is to alleviate positions where a service member would have to be put in harms way. We are tremendously flexible. Gone to the dogs: Depot K-9 expecting large anti-terrorism role Submitted by: Jaco was a member of one of seven military working dog teams stationed here as a first line of defense in the protection of depot personnel and resources through explosive and narcotic detection in support of the depot's anti-terrorism efforts.

In correlation with the recent retirement of the explosives detecting canine, Jaco, and Hertha, a narcotics detecting military working dog, the K-9 section is expecting two new detection military working dogs, a new handler and several scheduled deployments of current military working dog teams. The rotation in deployment among the depot military working dog handlers is more rapid than that of other, larger bases, sometimes causing depot Marines to deploy with a dog they have been handling for a short period of time.

Handlers and dogs would work together for several months, building a rapport effective in the detection of narcotics or explosives before deployment, according to Glass. Military working dog handlers are first trained as military policemen. Upon graduation, K-9 MP's are qualified in the basic care of their working dogs, according to Maj. Capes, depot provost marshal. After the assignment of a new dog, the handler will work and train the dog until the kennel master certifies the Marine with his dog. The provost marshal will observe the team during a training exercise and must make a final approval of the working dog team to validate the certification, said Capes.

For depot K-9, working with a new dog is not a difficult task to overcome. Reil said he spends every chance he can with his recently assigned explosives detecting dog to prepare them both for their upcoming deployment. Nobody else bathes him. Nobody else brushes him. Nobody else plays with him.

He associates me with my touch.

I'm his dad," said Reil. Depot handlers commonly refer to themselves as the fathers of the respectively assigned working dogs, expressing a close bond between Marine and man's best friend. With the return of two recently deployed noncommissioned officers, Cpl. Jeffrey Beck and Glass, each of whom trained with their dogs for about three months before deployment, Reil is learning what he can about deployment with a new dog. Here it's like a well of knowledge. Everybody helps the new guy. I've learned a lot from Cpl. Depot dog personalities range from the rambunctious, Tino, to Ali, the gentle giant and Bony, the hyper and young narcotics detecting dog.

Jaco was described as a humble dog. It's a shame he has to be retired," said Beck. The dogs are received from a DoD training facility in San Antonio and tattooed with an identification number inside their left ear. They are registered with the DoD, can receive retirement ceremonies, military awards, and the dogs are permitted to stand with their handlers during promotions. The dogs are adopted out to the best-suited owner when determined unfit to work, provided the animal's temperament makes him a suitable pet. Although considered one rank below their dog, the handlers are entrusted with the nutrition and health of their dogs on base and during deployments.

Each morning, the team goes through health check points ensuring the gums, eyes, nose, hips and paws of the dog are in working condition. The handlers are also in charge of watching the dogs weight and levels of aggression, according to Beck. Glass spent five months during his last deployment in Iraq with Beck. He agreed that the dog's health was one of the most important concerns in Iraq. You could be a regular infantryman in Iraq, or a regular infantryman in Iraq with a 3-year-old," said Glass.

Snipes for their upcoming deployments. I don't think they'll have a problem adjusting when they get over there," said Glass about Snipes and Reil. With the hazards of Iraq increasingly affecting Marines, depot K-9 handlers believe they are an important asset to the mission. It's perfect for a dog because he can find things humans can't find. There is no way of hiding it and getting it past a dog. There's no room for error. The one time you screw up, you can endanger yourself, your dog, but most importantly, other Marines," said Beck. I'm excited to do my job - to go out there and potentially save lives," said Snipes.

Jaco's retirement ceremony has yet to be scheduled. A board is also scheduled to determine the newest addition to the depot military working dog section. Peterson teams among 'top dogs' at K-9 trials. Mark Dedrick, the squadron kennel master. He said Staff Sgt. Jesse Frank and Staff Sgt. Jesse Tames lead the way. After qualifying at a local competition and two months of nonstop training, the two sergeants -- with their K-9 partners, Gina and Chaky -- showed off their skills.

The Tucson competition consists of events like detection, tactical obedience, handler protection, area search, building search and an obedience course. Peterson left its mark with Sergeant Frank and Chaky placing second in top agency. Sergeant Tames and Gina were fourth in the tactical obedience category. Sergeant Dedrick said it was a lean year for the 21st Space Wing. Sergeant Frank said all the dogs performed well at the competition. Zachary Dyer Story Identification: However, for one Fightertown Devil Dog, the second trip to Iraq will be on all fours.

In October , Benny was sent on his first tour with Cpl. Roy Brown, the canine trainer at PMO. Because of him, I got put in for the Bronze Star. He went everywhere with me except the chow hall. When a mortar landed close to Benny and damaged his ears, he was medevaced to safety like any Marine would be. Jeffrey Bunt, the kennel master at PMO. When Benny returned to the Air Station in January, he resumed his normal life as a military working dog, which includes training, barracks searches, providing security, and responding to bomb calls from Charleston to Savannah, according to Cpl.

Dojnia, the fifth Marine to handle Benny, began working with him in June. Before the war in Iraq, it was normal for handlers to stay with their dogs for three to four years. Now, in order to keep the handlers from deploying too often, they are switched after about a year and a half, according to Bunt. Benny and Dojnia will spend about two weeks in Camp Lejeune before heading for Iraq. Dojnia is happy to be working with Benny and looking forward to deployment.

Handlers take the dogs on long walks to get them acclimated to the heat, according to Brown. Benny, who was born in , was trained to be a military working dog at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, in Benny was then moved aboard Fightertown in January , when the Military Working Dogs section was consolidated. Also in January, Benny had a replacement hip put in because of hip dysplasia, a condition that many German Shepherds develop. However, a hip replacement will not keep Benny from performing his duties in Iraq, according to Brown. Jeremy Gadrow Story Identification: May 12, -- It is a fact that military working dogs do just that, work.

Little time, if any, is available for a working dog to catch Frisbees or play fetch. Renzo, an year-old Belgian Malinois, is nearing his final days of service and will soon retire, said Cpl. Martinez wants to adopt him. To be adopted, several tasks must be completed. The first such task ensures the dog is fit for life with civilians. The dog must be video taped to show it is not aggressive towards people. The aggressiveness towards the handler is to see if the dog still has the drive to protect the handler and the movements toward the dog are to see if he will attack at aggressive gestures toward himself.

German police arrest Russian man over alleged terror bomb plot | The Times of Israel

Border Patrol sniffing out more than 1, pounds of illegal contraband and narcotics, said Martinez. With all his accomplishments, it would be a shame to just put himdown, said Martinez. Fort Knox renames dog training complex, street after fallen soldiers. Kimberley Voelz and Staff Sgt. Richard Ramey left a mark on everyone they met. Now they've left a permanent mark on Fort Knox. In a ceremony Friday, a training complex and road were renamed to honor the two fallen soldiers who were killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The military police dog kennels at Fort Knox were renamed the Voelz Complex. Voelz, 27, was killed in Iraq in December when a bomb she was trying to dismantle exploded. The street in front of the Voelz Complex was renamed Ramey Road. Ramey was killed in Iraq in February , also when a bomb he was trying to dismantle detonated. The rd worked closely with the military dog handlers who work at the complex, O'Brien said. Most of the soldiers at the dog kennels knew both Voelz and Ramey. They were rock stars in their field. Chris Tillman worked with Ramey and said he was one of the first soldiers who welcomed Tillman to post.

The dogs at the complex are trained as attack dogs and to detect drugs or explosives. The handlers often worked with the rd soldiers on training in the field and on runs on post and in the community. The families of both soldiers attended Friday's ceremony, O'Brien said. Voelz's father said naming the dog kennels for his daughter was the perfect honor because she was such an animal lover. He told O'Brien that Voelz had even thought about boarding horses and dogs when she got out of the Army. Voelz, a native of Carlisle, Pa. A unit team leader, she came to Fort Knox in Her husband, Staff Sgt.

Max Voelz, also was assigned to the rd. It was his second assignment to the post. He previously served at Fort Knox as an information systems analyst. O'Brien said she was glad to be able to memorialize the two soldiers and she hoped it meant a lot to the families. Erica Walsh can be reached at , Ext. Chris Bargery, task force commander. Kyle Luker, a fire team leader also deployed from Moody. He said one benefit is helping the Iraqis. It means he's found explosives. Brad and Giray Jones handle Timer and Gromett, explosive smelling dogs, at the North Entry Control Point as one of the first waves of inspections for local nationals and vehicles coming onto the area.

Timer is a 5-year-old shorthaired German Shepherd handled by Giray. Brad handles Gromett, a Belgium Malinois. The four of them have traveled throughout Iraq with 1st Armored and 1st Cavalry divisions and are now here searching for explosives and assisting in the capture of terrorists.

They put people in jail who were bad guys who would have gone out and hurt more people. Both have law enforcement backgrounds. Brad planned a canine unit program for a police department, and Giray started off in search and rescue. They actually met during a case while searching for a missing boy. That first case turned into years of commitment to one another. Their jobs rarely allow the couple to spend time together. Their 10th anniversary was the first one they were able to spend together, and it was on the plane coming to Iraq.

That moment reflected the best part of the couple's job here: Their searching efforts here are used for more dangerous cases and incorporate olfactory skills of the dogs — such as smelling for explosives and drugs. Even if they don't find any, military intelligence will question [the person] and get good information out of them. The dogs also represent a show of force and intimidation to people intent on harming the post.

She said the dogs do smell the food, but are trained not to lick or touch it. Their job puts the couple directly in harm's way, but for a greater purpose. We're there to locate it first so a larger number of people aren't involved," Giray said. Like all aspects of force protection, the Jones take their jobs seriously and concentrate heavily on watching the reaction of the dogs for clues and hints that something is amiss. It makes our job a lot easier. Abel Trevino is assigned to the 28th Public Affairs Detachment. Al Asad's Army veterinarians keep military working dogs healthy Submitted by: Cress, animal care specialist, th.

We handle their dental work also and have even had to give a dog a gold cap for a tooth one time. Loonam, commanding officer, th Medical Det. Some dogs are their own worst enemy because they just want to work, work, work, even when they are in their kennel and off duty. This is how they tend to develop stress diarrhea. If a working dog needs medical attention, they are normally driven to Al Asad but they may also be taken by air to a veterinary facility if the injury is serious enough, according to Loonam.

Loonam added that in addition to providing all levels of veterinary care for military and civilian working dogs, including surgeries, his unit also performs food inspections throughout the AO.