Lucky dog keeps soldiers safe, identifies improvised explosive devices

Photo By Sgt. Matthew Thompson | Army Sgt. Stephen Netzley, a K-9 handler with 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, and his dog, Lady, search for explosive devices during a route clearance patrol, March 9. The Houston native and Lady assisted the explosive ordnance disposal team during the mission.  

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

03.25.2009

Story by Spc. Matthew Thompson 

Combined Joint Task Force 101

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – She takes a few steps forward and then glances over her shoulder. A few meters up the road she stops and lies down on the ground.

Her name is Lady and she is a German shepherd trained to sniff out explosive devices and their components. Her handler is Army Sgt. Stephen Netzley, a scout with 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, at Forward Operating Base Altimur.

"I know the discomfort of not knowing if there is an IED out there while patrolling the roads," said Netzley, the non-commissioned 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, which includes the month and a half long training they went through 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 helping each other.

"She'll pick up a scent. And if I know or see something, I'll lead her to it or she'll lead me to it, and I'll 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 Regiment, counter-IED team. "They'll find the secondary IED, caches or anything that you wouldn't normally see with the naked eye."

When Lady finds something and it is confirmed positive, her reward is a tennis ball and lots of petting. But more importantly, the K-9s are saving lives.

"We're happy to know that we are going to save people," said Kordas. "We've 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.

• Date Taken: 03.25.2009
• Date Posted: 03.25.2009 06:26
• Story ID: 31572
• Location: BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF