Posted on 03/26/2009 4:12:30 PM PDT by SandRat
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, March 26, 2009 She takes a few steps forward and then glances over her shoulder. A few feet up the road she stops and lies down on the ground, a sign of possible danger.
I know the discomfort of not knowing if there is an [improvised explosive device] out there while patrolling the roads, said Netzley, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the K-9 section at FOB Altimur. Now I have a chance to make the roads safer. The 2-year-old German shepherd and Netzley have been working together for six months, including six weeks of training together at Vohne Liche Kennels, in Peru, Ind. Learning how to work with a K-9 is challenging, but once you learn how to do it, it becomes easier, Netzley said. The pair works together as a team. Shell pick up a scent, and if I know or see something, Ill lead her to it or shell lead me to it, and Ill watch her reaction, Netzley said. Through training, she has learned how to determine where the odor is coming from. Netzley and Lady work with the route clearance patrol and the counter IED teams. They help us a lot because they can pinpoint exactly where something is, said Army Cpl. Adam Kodras, a member of the 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiments counter IED team. Theyll find the secondary IED, caches, or anything that you wouldnt normally see with the naked eye. When Lady finds something and it is confirmed positive, her reward is a tennis ball and a lot of petting. But more importantly, she is helping to save lives. Were happy to know that we are going to save people, Kodras said. Weve probably saved a Humvee full of soldiers with what the dogs have helped us find. I like being a scout, but being a dog handler gives me a better opportunity to ensure all of my battle buddies are safe, Netzley added. (Army Spc. Matthew Thompson serves with the 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.) |
Related Sites: U.S. Forces Afghanistan Combined Joint Task Force 101 NATO International Security Assistance Force |
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God, I love dogs.
Forwarding to the Doggie ping!
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