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Takoma the dolphin is Awol
timesonline (UK) ^
| 3/29/03
| Daniel McGrory
Posted on 03/29/2003 11:32:25 AM PST by Rebelbase
THE US Marines have suffered an embarrassment with reports last night that one of their most prized investigators may have defected.
Takoma, the Atlantic bottle-nosed dolphin, had been in Iraq for 48 hours when he went missing on his first operation to snoop out mines.
His handler, Petty Officer Taylor Whitaker, had proudly showed off Takomas skills and told how the 22-year-old dolphin was among the most pampered creatures in the American military.
Takoma and his fellow mine hunters have a special diet, regular medical checks and their own sleeping quarters, which is more than can be said for the vast majority of the military whose domestic arrangements are basic, to say the least.
The wayward Takoma set out on the first mission with his comrade, Makai, watched by the cameras as the pair of dolphins somersaulted over the inflatable dinghy carrying their handlers.
Takomas role was to sweep the way clear for the arrival of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Sir Galahad. US officials had said that dolphins, first used in Vietnam, were a far better bet than all the technology on board the flotilla of ships.
Petty Officer Whitaker had tempted fate by saying: Why would they go missing when they have the best food and daily spruce-ups and health checks? Two hours later Takoma had gone Awol. Twenty-four hours is not unusual, a nervous Petty Officer Whitaker said. After all, he may meet some local company.
Takoma has now been missing for 48 hours and the solitary figure of Petty Officer Whitaker could be seen yesterday patting the water, calling his name and offering his favourite fish, but there was no response.
TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: amphibdesgru; dolphins; mineclearing; mines; navy; navydolphin; seals; specialops; takoma; ua; workingdogs
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To: anguish
LOL!! Perfect!
121
posted on
03/29/2003 3:23:08 PM PST
by
Ladysmith
(Land of the Free Because of the BRAVE!)
To: Texaggie79; Sir Gawain; riley1992; wardaddy; HairOfTheDog; nothingnew; 2Trievers; ...
Humourous thread ping!
To: ewing
LOL....very good.
123
posted on
03/29/2003 3:43:56 PM PST
by
wardaddy
(G-d speed our fighters!)
To: LindaSOG
Takoma sleeps with Luca Brasi.
124
posted on
03/29/2003 4:34:39 PM PST
by
Radix
(This War starts now!.....oh...and Ping!)
To: yankeedame
Hey, whadda ya goin' do? It's spring! (wink,wink, nudge,nudge)Actually, you're probably correct. During the "Tanker War" it was discovered the warmer Persian Gulf waters triggered mating urges in our dolphins. All they wanted to do was frolic!
To: Rebelbase
Something's fishy here.
126
posted on
03/29/2003 4:40:30 PM PST
by
Dysart
(S.A.R.)
To: ewing; shezza
shez-pingarooskie
ewing... you are having too much fun!
(keep it coming... we need the laughs!! :o) )
127
posted on
03/29/2003 4:52:36 PM PST
by
N8VTXNinWV
(Praying for Wisdom, Honor & Might for GWB)
To: Rebelbase
Back to the boat NOW, Takoma- or else.....
To: Rebelbase
Maybe Takoma met his maker and is now cavorting with his 72 sturgeons.
Leni
129
posted on
03/29/2003 5:22:07 PM PST
by
MinuteGal
(THIS JUST IN ! Astonishing fare reduction for FReeps Ahoy Cruise! Check it out, pronto!)
To: tgslTakoma
Will check Rock Creek and Northwest Branch next. Don't forget to check Klingle Mansion. I think Takoma was surfing for the address before he took off.
130
posted on
03/29/2003 5:26:06 PM PST
by
rabidralph
(Very Soon, All Your Base Are Belong To Us)
To: MinuteGal
"72 sturgeons"
[Rimshot]
To: N8VTXNinWV; ewing
ROFLOL! I see Registered is getting a bit of competition here! Good job, ewing. Keep 'em coming!
132
posted on
03/29/2003 5:34:15 PM PST
by
shezza
To: Rebelbase
"Maybe Takoma met a cute dark-eyed arabain bottlenose and forgot all about the war"...
That was my first guess too.
To: Rebelbase
Takoma has now been missing for 48 hours and the solitary figure of Petty Officer Whitaker could be seen yesterday patting the water, calling his name and offering his favourite fish, but there was no response. Well, I won't comment on his loyalty as he might return. :-)
To: minmospop
dolphin alert!
135
posted on
03/29/2003 6:20:28 PM PST
by
lsee
To: lsee
"Dolphin missing..."
In a related report, an Iraqi tuna boat was seen in the same area flying the Weemsco flag...
To: ewing
Cameltoe!
To: Rebelbase
This thread is too funny! Bumping for later enjoyment.
To: salmon76
Well, once we'd publicized the use of dolphins in our operations, they certainly would be a target...Maybe that's what the soldiers were shooting at in the river?
139
posted on
03/29/2003 7:00:16 PM PST
by
lsee
To: Zevonismymuse
Does this mean I've lost control of the board to you,and can't have Alex expose Flipper for $200.00????......
...gee...I hate it when that happens....just glad I didn't mess up a Daily Double......whew!!..
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