Unleashing The Dog of War
(February 25, 2011) |
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| FORWARD OPERATING BASE LAGMAN, Afghanistan
(February 21, 2011) -- I have been training for this
deployment since enlisting. For two years, I have learned as
much as I possibly can along with other security forces
airmen. Finding explosives and weapons caches are my
specialty but I will defend my Wingman with my life if
necessary. |
I am not just a military working dog. I am a
weapon.
Edy, or military working dog
identifier Edy N300, is a 3-year old Sable
Shepherd who has been an airman since November
2009. He is an explosive detection dog who can
identify at least 15 different scents that serve
as explosive markers for bombs.
This is
Edy's story seen through the eyes of his
handler, Staff Sgt. Pascual Gutierrez Jr., an
Air Force MWD handler attached to the Army's 2nd
Stryker Calvary Regiment here.
Before Edy
deployed, he was engaged with typical garrison
work performing explosive detection aid during
random anti-terrorism measures, performing
sweeps of military buildings and undergoing
constant training to further hone his skills.
In August 2010, the veterinarian discovered
a cyst on his ride haunch that needed to be
surgically removed. It took nearly six
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U.S. Air Force Staff
Sgt. Pascual Gutierrez and his military working
/ patrol explosive detection dog Edy, Combined
Team Zabul, Afghanistan, deployed from the 9th
Security Forces Squadron, Beale AFB, Calif.,
conduct a challenge training session with Spc.
Joseph Lopez, a military working dog handler
deployed from the 148th Military Police
Detachment, Fort Carson, Colo., at Forward
Operating Base Lagman, Afghanistan on Feb. 18,
2011. Gutierrez, Lopez and Edy are part of
Combined Team Zabul. The team is made up of dogs
and dog handlers from the Air Force, Army and
Navy who help support the various units at FOB
Lagman during patrols and other various
missions. Photo by USAF MSgt. Adrian Cadiz |
weeks to
recover before being cleared for duty.
"Edy
is tough," his handler said. "Nothing was going
to keep him down for long. Looking at him now,
you'd never know that he was laid up not too
long ago."
As with anyone who deploys to
a new environment, it takes time to acclimate.
By Edy's third mission, he had found his battle
rhythm. The weather, terrain and altitude
changes were no longer issues for him.
While at Combat Outpost Mizan, he expertly
fulfilled his role of searching a bordering
village and ensured there were no immediate
threats from the inhabitants as well as
providing detection of explosive devices if
needed.
"When we go out on missions,
Edy's job is to search out weapon caches,
explosives and bomb making supply centers and be
prepared for any threat that an individual may
present to the mission itself," Gutierrez said.
"Basically, Edy helps keep the villages honest
and on the right side of the fight. If something
is there that we miss, you can be sure Edy
won't."
Edy is a highly driven dog who,
while young and full of play, knows when to get
down to business.
"Edy can be all over
the place but the minute we gear up for a
mission, he puts his game face on," his handler
said. "He has so much energy that he can work
for days and hardly gets tired."
Tireless
in his pursuit to complete the mission and seek
out what he has been trained to search for, Edy
also epitomizes the adage of being "man's best
friend."
"I have worked with other dogs
before who probably wouldn't protect me if I got
hurt out here," Gutierrez said. "But with Edy, I
know without a doubt he would protect me with
his life. His animal instincts would take over
and he would protect me from anything and
everything." |
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Staff Sgt. Pascual Gutierrez, a military working dog handler for Combined Team Zabul, Afghanistan, deployed from the 9th Security Forces Squadron, Beale AFB, Calif., praises his military working/patrol explosive detection dog, Edy, and rewards him wirh a chew toy after Edy successfully sniffed out explosive devices during an explosive device detection training session at Forward Operating Base Lagman
on Feb. 18, 2011. Photo by USAF Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz |
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The sergeant is Edy's first handler. The bond between them
is almost tangible. For Edy, Gutierrez isn't just his
partner during training or while searching for explosives.
To him, the sergeant is friend, father and protector.
"You're told not to get too attached to the dogs but
that's difficult," he said. "To Edy, I am a father figure..
And it's my job to make sure that he's well taken care of."
Seeing to Edy's needs means more than just ensuring he
has a place to sleep and food to eat. It's about being a
true companion and making sure he is happy.
"The dogs
have to be in kennels and so when I let him out, I want to
make sure that we're doing something that he enjoys," the
sergeant said.
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For a dog who is so full of energy, getting the
chance to just run loose is high on the agenda. |
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"It's important to me to make sure that Edy has his
freedom as much as possible," Gutierrez said. "We have to be
on our toes when out on missions that in our down time, it's
more about rewarding him with the things he enjoys most.
Simple things like going for walks make him happy and that's
key."
Since Edy thoroughly enjoys patrol work,
walking and fetching the ball are two easy luxuries his
handler grants him. One training tool in particular seems to
excite Edy most: centerline drills.
"I'll take him
out with two toys and throw one in one direction, wait for
him to fetch it and throw the other in the opposite
direction," the handler said. "He can do centerline drills
forever."
Edy is the story of the underdog come to
life. Relatively small for his breed, Edy is only 56 pounds.
For all his pint-sized stature, he is not a dog to be
underestimated.
"He's like [the football character]
Rudy," the handler said. "He has a big heart and never gives
in or gives up. He's very driven and it more than makes up
for his size. He's a pure threat now but if he had a little
more weight on his side, he'd be a powerhouse."
Personality-wise, Edy is your typical busybody. He is
ever-curious and has to be in the middle of all the
excitement or he's not happy.
"Edy is always nosy --
almost too nosy," the sergeant said. "If he was a person,
he'd be that guy who always has to be in the middle of the
action."
But being nosy is good. It means he's
questioning what may be hidden on the side of the road,
tucked away in a building or hidden on someone ready to do
harm.
"Being nosy makes Edy a really good detection
dog," the handler said. "I am constantly on my guard because
his alertness can one day save my life." |
By USAF TSgt. Stacia Zachary
U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs
Copyright 2011 | |
Provided
through DVIDS
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