Photo By Pfc. Michael Schuch | Captain Stephen Johnson, commander of Headquarters Company, 2nd Brigade Combat Team,...... read more read more
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By Pfc. Michael Schuch
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division
FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq –Soldiers of the 178th Military Police Detachment celebrated the reenlistment of four Iron Brigade Soldiers, June 9. Unlike other reenlistments, this ceremony featured two unique Soldiers – military canines.
Sgt. 1st Class Freida, a 2 and a half year old Belgian Malinouis, and Staff Sgt. Brutis, a 7-year-old German Shepherd, reenlisted with their partners, Staff Sgt. Robert Springmann, of Boston, Mass., and Sgt. Joshua Campbell, of Leesville, Ohio.
Freida, a specialized search dog, has been serving in the Army for more than a year. She is trained to detect improvised explosive devices, weapons caches and ordnance, before they can be used to cause harm.
"Though this is her first deployment, she is well trained and is a vital asset to the team," said Springmann, a specialized search dog handler and kennel master.
Brutis is trained to track and detain suspects, and sweep through villages and cities searching for weapons, ammunition, and explosive devices. He has been serving in the Army for six years.
"Brutis is highly trained," said Campbell, a military working dog handler. "Whenever he is in a new area, whether it is an office on the Forward Operating Base, or walking down an Iraqi street, he is constantly searching."
Brutis is currently serving his fourth deployment, having previously served twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and once in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
"The dogs depend on us and will save our lives," Springmann said. "We in turn depend on them and keep them safe."
Freida and Brutis will remain on active duty status until they can no longer effectively perform their duties.
Once they reach the end of their military career, they will be considered for adoption by dog trainers and handlers, though there is no set age limit for the dogs to retire.
The 178th MPD is currently attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division and has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since April in the Mada'in Qada, in southeastern Baghdad province.
| Date Taken: | 06.09.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 06.16.2008 09:34 |
| Story ID: | 20511 |
| Location: | FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, IQ |
| Web Views: | 145 |
| Downloads: | 113 |
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