Posted on 06/26/2005 7:35:02 PM PDT by The Mayor
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T.G.I.F. at the Finest |
Every Thursday at the Finest  |
Whoa! That is waaaaaay hot for that part of the country, isn't it? We in West Texas are only at 81 right now! Take care and try to keep cool!
Honoring them today, here are a few stories from this site:
Located at This URL
Military dogs help defend Iraq
by Tech. Sgt. Bob Oldham
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
11/28/2003 - - TALLIL AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) - Hiding behind mounds of dirt or anything else his handler could find, Tino sat and waited for an intruder to breach the base’s fence on his random listening and observation post.
Suddenly, the military working dog’s ears, eyes and nose zeroed in on two men as they entered the base’s perimeter. As the men closed in, Tino stood up, fluffing up his hair and tail to make his presence known.
“You could hear them stop breathing (when they saw Tino),” said Senior Airman Eric Stafford, a military working dog handler here from Moody Air Force Base, Ga. “They knew it was over.”
The two men threw their hands in the air -- their foray onto the base was over. Stafford called for backup, and the two were hauled away. Mission complete.
In today’s Air Force, it takes a special breed of airman and dog -- German shepherd, Dutch shepherd or Belgian malinois -- to secure the perimeter of a military installation, and it is no different here.
To help security forces airmen cope with the hazards of the job, they team with military working dogs to thwart potential aggressors and keep base airmen safe to do their jobs. Stafford and Tino are just one example of that teamwork.
All of the Department of Defense’s military working dogs are trained at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Once trained, dogs are shipped to units and paired with a trained handler. The two work together at home station and temporary duty locations, as is the case with Tino and Stafford. They will separate only when the airman permanently changes duty stations.
Tino is not just a security dog, he is also trained to smell explosives or explosive-making materials. The dog and Stafford are one set of an undisclosed number of dogs and handlers here, keeping intruders and terrorist bombs out, officials said.
While both tasks are important, so is keeping military working dogs healthy. That job falls to a trained Army veterinarian technician who monitors the dogs’ health on a weekly basis, looking for signs of disease or injury.
To keep the dogs hydrated, they drink the doggie version of a human sports drink to replace lost electrolytes. They also have special equipment that works like an ice pack to help them stay cool when temperatures rise, officials said.
Military working dogs are one line of defense in a multi-layered defensive plan. The dogs serve two roles: to detect and to deter, said Tech. Sgt. Michael Silvin, the kennel master here.
Detection is manning a post, looking for bad guys, much like Tino and his handler. Deterrence comes in a couple of forms, like posting the dogs in areas visible to those entering and exiting the base and by word of mouth, such as the two intruders that Tino stopped in their tracks, he said.
“The locals talk,” Silvin said. “They know we have them, and they’re scared to death of them.”
Military working dog aerovaced after operation, hospitalization
by 1st Lt. Kelley Jeter
380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
8/23/2004 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Staff Sgt. Tim Cox and military working dog, Ronny, have been partners for more than two years, so when the canine cop fell ill on the job recently, Sergeant Cox instantly recognized a problem.
“He just had a complete change of attitude,” Sergeant Cox said. “He got very lethargic and wasn’t himself at all.”
Ronny’s change in behavior was a red flag that he needed immediate medical attention, and he was taken to a veterinary facility in a city near a forward-deployed location. The veterinarian discovered Ronny had a relatively common malady for large-breed dogs called pericardial effusion. It is an unnatural collection of fluid around his heart that began interfering with the heart’s functioning. He was immediately operated on.
“He was put into the equivalent of doggie ICU for three days,” said Maj. David Blocker, 380th Expeditionary Medical Group’s aerospace medicine chief.
Ronny’s heartbeat was irregular for two days after the emergency procedure, which drained the excess fluid off his heart. He was hooked up to a heart monitor, put on oxygen and closely observed until he was out of the danger zone.
Army Capt. (Dr.) Todd Bell, a veterinarian assigned to Navy Central Command headquarters, was summoned to assess Ronny’s condition and assist in a medical evacuation if needed.
“This condition will often resurface six to eight weeks after the initial episode,” Dr. Bell said.
The possibility of Ronny getting sick again cemented the decision to send him to Germany, where he could get a specialty evaluation and maybe a special surgery to permanently fix the condition.
Major Blocker has arranged plenty of aeromedical evacuations for people, but said this was his first experience with moving a sick dog. The aerovac system requires frequent stops and medical re-evaluation to guarantee that people will have the medical care they need available in flight and at every step along the way.
“People may often go home for medical reasons, but not all of them need medical care en route,” he said.
Many can be sent home commercially or on a military rotator and will usually make it home anywhere from five to seven days sooner than if they are locked into the aerovac system.
Unlike people, medics have very few options with regard to moving sick dogs. Ronny needed the constant presence of health-care professionals and a trained eye to watch his condition, should it change; that made aerovac the ideal choice. Military working dogs like Ronny are considered to be active-duty servicemembers eligible for aerovac.
To get him safely to Germany for further triage, Ronny was escorted by Dr. Bell and Sergeant Cox on a special aerovac flight Aug. 22. From there, they will decide whether to treat him in Germany, or to send him home to Texas to get treated.
Sergeant Cox and Ronny are both deployed from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, but the treatment facility for military working dogs is at Lackland AFB, Texas. They were assigned to the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron here, where Sergeant Cox and Ronny worked at the vehicle search area checking incoming vehicles for explosives. After Ronny’s evaluation and possible surgery, he will have about 30 days to recover, and he will be back home and working at the job he has been trained to do.
[ More stories will follow in another reply -- ]
Great story--these guys are as brave as their human counterparts and deserve our respect and love, too! And they do it with no monetary compensation--just a hug and a scratch behind the ear--maybe a doggy treat!
OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM -- Senior Airman Donnie Wells watches as Kastor, a Belgian malinois, sniffs for any hazardous materials or explosives among cable rolls aboard a flatbed trailer. Wells and Kastor are currently assigned to the 363rd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron at a forward-deployed location. They are deployed from the 99th Security Forces Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Darrell Lewis)
From biscuits to gravy
by Master Sgt. Cliff Anderson and Staff Sgt. Shon Tiechiera,
90th Security Forces Squadron
03/10/03 - F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. (AFPN) --
Barry has retired from the 90th Space Wing Security Forces here after 11 years of battling crime. He was obedient, loyal, vigilant and protective.
Barry was an ideal military working dog.
The Air Force purchased Barry in 1991 for $3,500 from a Belgium breeder. He was one of only three Belgium Turvueren dogs actively deployed in the entire Air Force. The breed is distinguished by their long hair and charcoal color.
After completing a physically demanding and mentally challenging K-9 training course at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Barry was assigned to Warren -- his first and only duty station -- as an explosives detection dog.
Throughout his career, Barry served in a variety of roles, including four deployments overseas supporting Operation Southern Watch.
During his tour here, Barry searched thousands of vehicles and buildings, and he provided special protection to dignitaries like Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.
He served with nine different handlers and earned a 98 percent proficiency rate in explosive detection.
Until recently, retirement wasn't an option for military working dogs. Those dogs that could no longer perform their full duties in a field assignment were either sent back to Lackland to train new handlers or were offered to civilian law enforcement agencies.
Now Barry and other dogs like him can be adopted after their military service, thanks to the Robby Bill, passed by Congress three years ago. Robby was the first military working dog to be formally adopted, opening the doors to hundreds of dogs following a successful military career.
A dog's retirement from the military is similar to a person's -- some paperwork has to be done before they go.
First, a veterinarian identifies the dog as physically unable to perform assigned duties. This usually occurs between the 10- to 12-year mark. At the end of a military working dog's career, the dog is worth an estimated $75,000 based on experience and training. As a valuable asset, the next step is to deem the dog "non-deployable or stateside deployment only."
The dog's records are then sent to Lackland for a full medical review board. In Barry's case, the board concurred with the veterinarian's request to retire him.
Next, the dog is offered to local law enforcement or prior Air Force handlers depending on how old the dog is and its aptitude for continued law enforcement service outside of the military. Then, an interview process is conducted to find suitable homes for the dogs to live out their remaining years.
Staff Sgt. Rodney Dove, a base dog handler, was part of Barry's interview process. Dove's adoption application was approved after Barry was not claimed for local law enforcement duties. Dove's adoption approval was a popular one, not only with the handler, but also with squadron members.
"This is the first retirement of a military working dog that I've witnessed in 12 years of active duty service," said Staff Sgt. Jack Waid of the 90th Security Forces Squadron commander's support staff. "It was great to see a handler adopt him."
Upon retirement, the 90th SFS commander presented Barry with retirement orders and an unofficial but highly appropriate "Meritorious Service Medal."
The Meritorious Service Medal is well-deserved recognition of this military veteran, as is his loving adoption by the handler!
[Have you hugged your dog today?!!]
Look at these faces of some of those who are in harm's way for the benefit of others --
While we are "into summer things" - cookouts and swimming and picnics and vacations - give thanks for their selflessness....
Watch over them with favor, Lord, as they defend others --
Thanks! And amen to your prayer for America! Can't have too many of these! God bless the troops!
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Good uns, Colleen..:)) - both the graphic and the hug for Lucy!
Good afternoon deadhead. Yep! I scratched Ink's back this morning and she appreciated it.
Hi you two :-) Hope you are having a great day. Give Ink a pat from me, Temple Owl :-) And a pat for Binky, LadyX :-)
"Of course, the Ten Commandments are religious _ they were so viewed at their inception and so remain. The monument therefore has religious significance," Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist wrote for the majority in the case involving the display outside the state capitol of Texas. "Simply having religious content or promoting a message consistent with a religious doctrine does not run afoul of the Establishment clause," he said.
Court: Some Ten Commandments Displays OK
The Fourth of July holiday weekend is this next weekend, and Dolly will do the weekend thread, which will run through Monday again. Can you post Military Monday on Tuesday again? :)
I believe I spy young Christian saluting the flag. :)
The Military Dogs - aren't they beautiful!
Dear SISTAHS! :)
The next thing for you two to do is decide which Tuesday you want to post the thread. :) :) :)
Thanks. And that young-un's a pretty GREAT grandson.
Thanks DD.. Great pic!
Thanks Russ.
I believe I spy young Christian saluting the flag. :)
Good eye. Can't sneak anything past you. :)
That was from a school program honoring our Armed Forces and Veteran's. A two-hankie day for this old guy with all the patriotic songs and tributes.
That's what I was thinking, I sense a whole Post coming from DH one day. :)
Meant to include you in that last comment LUV W. Your work is looking good!
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Good keep us informed.
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