Man’s best friend is saving Marine lives in the Af:
For the US Marines patrolling the dusty footpaths of southern Afghanistan, a bomb-sniffing black Labrador can mean the difference between life and death.
These “dogs of war” have saved countless lives and their record for finding hidden explosives has won them a loyal following.
“They are 98 percent accurate. We trust these dogs more than metal detectors and mine sweepers,” says handler Corporal Andrew Guzman.
Trained to detect five kinds of threat, from military grade C-4 plastic explosive to common chemicals used by the Taliban to make improvised explosive devices (IEDs), the dogs play a vital role alongside their human comrades.
Good dogs.
Sheesh, look at that pooch. He wants to work, be fed and be loved. It is really very simple but quite remarkable in this harsh environment.
Thank you for serving our country, you funny little pooch.
“He wants to work, be fed and be loved”
Indeed, and throw in some tummy rubs as well.
Pretty much what all guys want….
Dogs. Along with beer, more proof that God loves us.
The Canine’s actually rotate over there more often than their Handlers do. When a Battalion returns the dogs are returned to some facility in Virginia where they are paired up with another Handler in another unit, they train together for a few weeks and then off they go, right back over there. My son told me the dogs were shot at more often than Him and His fellow Marines were because they were so accurate at finding explosives. He mentioned on event where a dog in his unit took him into and through a “house” that was warren of rooms right to room where they were in the process of assembling an IED using fertilizer. Surprise the Tango’s right in the act and they had no idea they were coming because of the dog. They are great assets and make the best of friends.
BT: Jimmy T sends.
I was wondering why we weren’t using dogs extensively to sniff out IEDs. Good to see we ARE using a resource so cheap, effective and cuddly.
Just too awesome.
Soldiers’ Angels has a team that adopts handler-dog pairs, but it has been on hiatus for reorganization and due to a lack of pairs to adopt. With the increased number of dogs headed into Afghanistan, maybe it’ll restart…
Some will laugh, but IIRC, the South Africans found that the best animals of all to sniff out land-mines, IEDs,etc., were rats!! More sensitive sense of smell, quicker to train,cheaper to feed, and easier to transport..
If we could train lawyers to do it, we’d also be free of annoying PETA types.
One of the best aspects I see to IED sniffing dogs is the Muslims hate them. All dogs, that is.
In every war troops have adopted dogs and taken them into combat. Nothing more American than loving a Dog.
So how do the Muslims feel about rats? And I hear they use pigs in France to sniff out truffles. How about sending some-o-them to mingle with the tangos?
If we could use some of the pork over here to go hog-wild over there…
Just more proof that dog people are smarter than cat people.
He,he,he.
“He wants to work, be fed, and loved.” Hmmmmm I must be a dog.
also Muslims just don’t like dogs as they think they are dirty
One of ours died not too long ago, buried with full military honours (had a rank too)
RIP for the pooch. Full honors indeed.
It’s amazing just how sensetive their sense of smell is. As a C.O., I had to certify our drug dogs by observing how well they performed in finding hidden bait. We had a beagle named Quincy who was very good. Once, the Security Officer conducting the test, placed the bait at a location and determined that it was too obvious and quickly removed it and placed it in another location. Quency alerted on both locations. Needless to say, I certified him in a heartbeat.
Damn typos! The e and i are not even close to each other on the keyboard.
Just be glad you aren’t VX. His keyboard treats him terribly.
15000 years ago, Man & the Ancestors of our K9 friends made a pact – we would provide shelter, food & warmth – They would provide protection from the dangers that lurked in the darkness – That pact has stood the test of time.
Here’s the words that coforted my wife when we lost our beloved dog “Fudgey”, who was my wife’s protector. Life is not complete without a dog.
—————————————
She is my dog
She is my other eyes that can see above the clouds;
My other ears that hear above the winds.
She is the part of me that can reach out into the seas.
She has told me a thousand times over that I am her reason for being.
By the way she rests against my leg.
By the way she thumps her tail at my smallest smile.
By the way she shows her hurt when I leave without taking her.
When I am wrong, she is delighted to forgive.
When I am angry, she clowns to make me smile.
When I am happy, she is joy abound.
When I am a fool, She ignores it.
When I succeed, she brags.
Without her, I am only another person.
With her, I am all powerful.
She has promised to wait for me…whenever…
In case I need her; and I expect I will—
As I always have.
She is my dog.
Author Unknown
Thanks, SK1. Just sent the words to other dog folks. They understand.
One of my favorites…
“Dear Lord, please let me be the person my dog thinks I am…”
Glad to share – life without Dogs is not the same….
I’m here at KAF in AFGHN….the other night, I saw a dog handler walking his pal – I stopped and said to him, ” Hey, you are the luckiest bastard in this place…you get to have your pal with you wherever you go.”
His reply, ” YES, I AM….I am the luckiest bastard in this place.
No truer words were uttered in this god-forsaken land.
Nice words, thanks. We adopted “Wilson” 6 years ago from a local dog rescue outfit and our lives have been immeasurably better since. He as much rescued us as we did him.
Nothing new here. whenI was stationed on Guam 69-70, I visited the War Dogs Of the Pacific Cemetery. Wasn’t all that well kept then, but moving.
http://www.wardogsmovie.com/
Wish I would have known about that memorial when I was there in ’71 (and at various times thru ’74).
Lots of WWII history on that island. Thanks for the link.