Photo By Staff Sgt. Christina Turnipseed | Staff Sgt. Lawrence Smith of 1-1 Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team,...... read more read more
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KIRKUK, Iraq -- The 506th Air Expeditionary Group's Moral, Welfare and Recreation Center sponsored a Military Working Dog Awareness run at Air Force Village on Forward Operating Base Warrior, Iraq, April 10.
"We put it on so everybody can show appreciation for the work (the dogs) do whether on the FOB or outside in the cities," said Spc. Charles Nelson, 91st Military Police Attachment, native of Ahoskie, N.C. "It's good that units and people are actually putting on things like this, because the MWD are often not appreciated."
Minutes before the run, three of the military working dog handlers showed off their dog's bite training to the participants in the race.
"It's just doing what dogs have always done—chase something and bite it," said Spc. Aaron Tippit, 248th Medical Detachment Veterinary Services, a native of Casper, Wyo., who works with some of the dogs.
Air Force Staff Sgt. Casey Ovellette, 506th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, a native of Lewiston, Maine, who has been working with dogs for six years, invited servicemembers to put on a protective jacket and allow a dog to bite the padded sleeve.
Pfc. Apolonio Ostigin, 72nd Signal Battalion, a native of Houston, Texas, was the first to volunteer.
"I'm getting my adrenalin pumped before the run," Pfc. Ostigin said, after allowing a working dog to bite down on the padded sleeve jerking it side-to-side. I wanted to do something fun and show appreciation for these working dogs, he said.
The only other servicemember brave enough to volunteer was Air Force Staff Sgt. Bonilla Maria of the 506th Expeditionary Logistical Readiness Squadron.
Not all of the military working dogs had aggressive training; some of the dogs were trained to find explosives and other weapons.
"These dogs don't have the aggressive training; they're just explosive dogs," said Staff Sgt. Craig Chambers, 252nd Military Police Detachment, who is from Pinghamton, N.Y., of his dog Milo and some of the other dogs.
After the attack demonstration was complete, about 200 Soldiers, Airmen, contractors and military working dogs ran about three miles to show appreciation for the heroic efforts of the dogs.
"These dogs require a lot of care and attention. It's good that people appreciate what they do," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Paul Quilty, 506th ESFS, who is from Coral Springs, Fla.
Staff Sgt. Lawrence Smith of 1-1 Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division out of Fort Bliss, Texas (Ready First) who is originally from Milwaukee, Wis., crossed the finish line first.
Capt. Maurice Harford of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Ready First, who is from San Antonio, Texas, came in second.
1st Lt. Richard Morrow of 6th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, Ready First came in third.
| Date Taken: | 04.23.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 04.23.2010 10:42 |
| Story ID: | 48579 |
| Location: | KIRKUK, IQ |
| Web Views: | 301 |
| Downloads: | 232 |
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