Posted on 01/19/2006 9:38:33 PM PST by SandRat
MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, Calif. (January 19, 2006) -- "We were looking for weapons caches, improvised explosive devices and mines. That was our primary job," said Sgt. Neil Fucci, MCLB Barstow dog handler. Fucci and his Belgian Malinois, Rambo spent the majority of last year deployed to Iraq. While most Marines would try to avoid IEDs and mines, Fucci and Rambo, were searching specifically for them.
In April 2005, Fucci and Rambo deployed from MCLB Barstow and arrived in Al-Asad, Iraq in mid-May.
Forward Operating Base Camp Gannon in Husaybah, a town that sits very near the Iraqi and Syrian border, became their new home. Abandoned buildings became their new living quarters. And training, to stay at an elevated level of readiness, became their new daily routine while India Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines became their new family.
In June, Fucci and Rambo set out on their first of many raids.
"I didn't really know what to expect. We would go out at night and search buildings. Rambo and I would sweep the buildings while the assault element would secure it. It was very exciting."
In September, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines rotated into Camp Gannon and 3/2 rotated out. Fucci and Rambo had to familiarize the Marines of 3/6 with Rambo's skills.
"Grunts are not used to working with dog teams, so we would do demonstrations and practice work-ups to get them familiar with us and we would could get familiar with the way they worked," Fucci said.
In October, Fucci and Rambo set out on a clearing operation, Operation Iron Fist. During Operation Iron Fist, Marines would make a large sweep of a designated area, clearing everything in their path. After the clearing was complete, battle positions were set up and patrols were done to ensure the area continued to be free from insurgents, Fucci explained.
During the sweeps Fucci and Rambo would search for weapons caches, and IEDs.
"Rambo performed really well. It was so hot out there sometimes, I was amazed at how long he was able to work and the quality of work I was getting out of him," Fucci said.
During (Operation Iron Fist) we had a total of about 12 finds, just from Rambo," he said.
"We had a good turn out, he was a champ."
In November, Fucci and Rambo participated in another similar clearing operation, Operation Steel Curtain, which met a lot of resistance from insurgents.
Operation Steel Curtain was a larger operation with the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, a U.S. Army battalion, and more than 1000 Iraqi soldiers joining with 3/6 for the sweep, said Fucci.
"It was good to work with the Iraqis, we were two totally different cultures working side by side and being effective," explained Fucci.
After Operation Steel Curtain, there was an obvious positive change in the environment.
"Before the operation, the only people on the streets were insurgents. After we had cleared the area, people came out again, they opened up their shops. Children were playing on the streets and people were coming up to us and thanking us. It was a great feeling," Fucci said.
Toward the end of November, Fucci and Rambo departed Iraq to return to the States.
"I felt like we definitely made a difference over there, and I would enjoy going back. It was good to get out of (Barstow) and do what we actually train for. We spend so much time training to search for explosives and now I had the opportunity to do it. This type of thing is what I came in the Marine
Arf! Arf! Grrrrr! Woof!
What an inspirational story! May the Lord protect the dog teams and their handlers.
I am starting to raise Malinois . I hope to be able to offer puppies to the US Military at super reasonable prices , in a couple of years....Anyone know who to contact with such an offer ? Or other ideas about how to make that happen?
Ping.
Just like cell phones, they ought to go for the smaller versions.
BTTT
I don't have a specific contact, but FYI, all military working dog and handler training (all services) is conducted at Lackland AFB in Texas. I would imagine the contracting is done there as well, so you might want to start there.
I've been told that Malinois are highly spirited, very active, and somewhat more difficult to train. The Air Force (working with the Secret Service) brought a beautiful Malinois to patrol the area for explosives at a speech that President Bush gave at a local college. (I was on the volunteer committee helping with crowd control.) Gorgeous animal, but on alert at all times.
On an episode of "Breed All About It" a couple of years ago they showed Malinois and German Shepherds working as guard dogs at the Louvre in Paris. The voice-over asked, "How can you tell the difference between a GS and a Malinois? The GS is the dog that is sitting down."
There was a Malinois in my dog class, and the owner agreed that that was a good description.
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