Photo By 1st Lt. Antonia Elena Pearse | Sgt. John Ramaika, 365th Engineer Battalion Electronic Warfare Officer stopped by the...... read more read more
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Stress affects many soldiers, especially when deployed to a war zone like Afghanistan, where getting blown up by an improvised explosive device or indirect fire is a real possibility. A soldier does not necessarily have to participate in fire fights or Route Clearance Patrols to feel the effects of stress. The 98th Medical Detachment, from Joint Base Lewis- McCord, are based in Bagram Air Field, travel to the different Forward Operating Bases to help Soldiers relieve some of the stress. Pfc. Alex Fleming, from Hueytown, Alabama, from the 98th MED DET is Maj. Eden’s Handler. He remarked about his assignment, “I couldn’t think of a better job. It has been a great deployment. People are always happy to see the dog." Recently, Maj. Eden, the Combat Stress Dog came to visit the soldiers of the 365th Engineer Battalion at the Tactical Operating Center.
Staff Sgt. Jason Trahan, from Stroudsburg, Pa., Headquarters Headquarters Company 365th Engineering Batallion Combat Medic, initiated the idea that the 98th Medical Detachment visits the soldiers of the 365th Engineering Batallion. When asked why he called combat stress, he said, “I believe that morale is very important to keep positive and to deal with stress is key for mission success. I think that seeing the combat stress dog reminds soldiers of home and why we are fighting”. Keeping a soldier’s morale up is imperative to mission success. Spc. Maria Tubil, 365th Engineering Batallion Supply Specialist from Patterson, N.J., said, “It was awesome to take the time out to see Maj. Eden while she was around. Dogs don’t usually like me, but this one was very friendly.”
Maj. Eden and her handlers, Capt. Matthew Neat, Staff Sgt. Thomas Hewett and Pfc. Alex Fleming toured the 365th Engineering Battalion TOC, where the dog brought joy to all who saw her. Many photos were taken to commemorate the event. Spc. Stephen Simko, a HHC Communications Specialist from Lake Lehman, Pa., said, “I thought it was great! It provided both a mental and emotional escape. For anyone with a dog, it was a great reminder what is waiting back home. When I was playing with the dog, it felt as if I wasn’t even in Afghanistan; it was like I was home again. It was a great deployment experience that everyone should experience.”
Hopefully, Maj. Eden and her handlers will make more appearance at the 365th Engineering Batallion TOC. It is essential for both leaders and the soldiers themselves to keep up the morale.
| Date Taken: | 01.25.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 01.27.2014 11:14 |
| Story ID: | 119701 |
| Location: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Hometown: | HUEYTOWN, ALABAMA, US |
| Hometown: | LEHMAN, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Hometown: | PATTERSON, NEW YORK, US |
| Hometown: | STROUDSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 258 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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