Posted on 02/26/2007 5:59:45 PM PST by SandRat
Staff Sergeant Jeremy Nordlund (center), and military working dog Rex do a demonstration for American and Portuguese servicemembers Feb. 22 at Lajes Field, Azores. Sergeant Nordlund and Rex conduct training like this weekly to hone their security force's skills. They are assigned to the 65th Security Forces Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo)
/26/2007 - LAJES FIELD, Azores, Portugal (AFNEWS) -- More than 2,000 military working dogs currently serve at military bases around the world. But for the 65th Security Forces Squadron at Lajes Field, their hearts belong to two of those dogs.
Dan and Rex, both adult German Shepherds, arrived at Lajes Field straight from the 120-day rigorous training program at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. After completing the school, Dan and Rex are able to sniff out explosives and narcotics, as well as help their handlers control potentially dangerous situations.
"The dogs are a huge intimidation. People know how well police dogs are trained and what they're capable of, for the most part," said Staff Sgt. Jeremy Nordlund, Rex's handler.
"They've seen it on Cops and on TV," he said. "I know I don't have to chase anyone down. I just say a couple words and send him, and then worry about getting that individual medical attention."
Sergeant Nordlund works with two other handlers at Lajes Field to train and handle both Dan and Rex. Like the handlers, each dog has a unique personality. Their acute sense of smell and hearing enables them to protect Lajes Field in a way their human counterparts can't always do.
Military working dogs around the world put their lives on the line every day for service members. In fact, a few hundred military working dogs serve with coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. The handlers at Lajes Field value the piece of mind their four-legged partners provide everyday.
"Personally I feel more secure with a dog than anybody else." said Staff Sergeant Michael Robinson, Dan's handler. "I know a lot of people I work with feel more secure with having the dogs at the base. And when we go out on patrol, I feel more secure with the dog there."
Dan and Rex are all business; they'll continue serving in the Air Force until around age 12 or 13. After military working dogs are retired from the force, many of their current and past handlers attempt to adopt them as household pets, Sergeant Robinson said. But, because of hip and leg problems that result from years of tireless commitment to their handlers and the Air Force, some of the the dogs will have to be put down.
Very impressive, but i'm normally concerned about these animal's fate after the war. I heard and read before that they are normally killed when not needed anymore.
Don't know.
Try that link... not good with posting links so you could head there instantly..
I have heard the same thing but here is one good thing the Bill did.
http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/weekly/aa112000a.htm
Retired Military Dogs Protected
Dateline 11/20/00
U.S. Military dogs too old to continue their duty can now be adopted rather than put to death according to a law signed by President Clinton on Nov 6.
Under the new law -- H.R. 5314 -- sponsored in Congress by Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-Maryland), the commander of the dog's last duty unit will, in consultation with the unit veterinarian, decide whether the dog is suitable for adoption.
Dogs found suitable will available for adoption by law enforcement agencies, former handlers and trainers, or other persons determined, "capable of humanely caring for these dogs."
The law also requires anyone receiving a retired military dog to agree not to hold the government responsible for injury, damage or other damages resulting from ownership of the dog.
Dogs not adopted or euthanized for medical reasons will be sent to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX for use in training dog handlers.
Working dogs have been in official use by the U.S. Military since World War II. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, a group calling itself "Dogs for Defense" joined with the American Kennel Association in soliciting American dog owners to donate their dogs to the Army Quartermaster Corps. During service in WWII, dogs donated by the public were credited with saving the lives of hundreds of American soldiers during combat.
Over the years, military dogs have served on their own or with human partners as messengers, scouts, sentries and even mine detectors. Today, combat dogs are trained to find and alert troops to booby traps, mines, ambushes, and to act as decoys in drawing enemy fire. Other dogs are trained to use their advanced sense of smell to search for downed airmen and locate hidden contraband in the military's drug intervention program. According to the Pentagon, more than 30,000 military dogs have served since World War II. About 1,800 dogs are now in service.
http://www.digitaldog.com/military.html there you are.
ping
What a task...
Great additional info..
Thanks..
Cute cartoon.
I've met one of these hero dogs from Iraqi Freedom. The dog is enjoying retirement in the hills of West Virginia while his military handler has moved on to another duty station. The handler was given the dog outright after the dog's retirment.
The dog is living with his family here.
I seriously doubt that these well trained and highly valued dogs would be destroyed when retired, but I only know of this one.
Good point. I have a dog at home too and i dont expect him to lie down and roll on the floor in front of a perp anytime...
These animals are indeed heroes, i just hated the way they put to retirement based on most articles i've read.
I personally oppose killing these animals after use. Some of them were victims of that sad fate. Glad to know that this issue has been given a good attention lately.
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