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Paws in the sandâ?¦Dogs join battle against IEDs

Courtesy Photo | Staff Sgt. Figo, 67th Eng. Det., waiting her turn to 'sniff out' contraban or...... read more read more

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

01.23.2006

Courtesy Story

363rd Public Affairs Detachment

By Sgt. Ann Drier
363rd MPAD

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq " Staff Sgt. Archie, 67th Engineering Detachment, greets everyone with warmth and friendliness. His tail wags and his tongue lolls from his mouth as he places both huge paws on his visitor's chest and gives them a dead-on look in the eyes.

Staff Sgt. Figo greets her visitors with a serious stare, more aloof than her counterpart, but still friendly. She'll gladly accept a pet on the head for a moment or two before turning to more important business.

The 67th Engineering Detachment adopted the program, begun by the British army, using dogs to find explosives and contraband almost three years ago. Most of the dogs are found in pounds or donated to the program. They undergo a training period of about three months before being placed with a handler.

"I went to train under Roger Tredwell, who's been doing this kind of thing for 30 years," said Sgt. Daniel Broda, of 67th Engineering Detachment, the handler for Staff Sgt. Figo. "I didn't see my dog for quite a while. He can judge in one week which dog to team up with each handler. He makes the choice based on personality and temperament of both the dog and the handler. Most of the time it works out. "

"Figo is a Lab and Springer spaniel mix, so she's a bit high strung. She's very independent," said Broda. "It took quite a while before we were able to bond. I didn't think it was going to work out because she wouldn't listen. Then one day it just clicked. Now we're inseparable. She goes with me everywhere."

The pair has been together for almost two years now, sharing the same sleeping space and daily routine. "It feels weird when she's not with me, like not having my weapon with me. Our dogs are actually more important than our weapons because we can't do our mission without them," said Broda.

Each dog is awarded rank in the Army system and receives special treatment by the system and their handler.

"The dogs are always one step higher in rank than their handler in case of abuse," said Broda. "If a handler abuses the animal, he's subject to UCMJ action. If I get promoted, she gets promoted as well."

The dogs, usually Labrador retrievers or a Labrador mix, are given rigorous training and their relationship with their handlers is very important. When working, they wear a special harness and they know that when wearing it, it's time to work. "They won't work without their harnesses," said Broda.

And work they do. Staff Sgt. Figo has been at the Victory complex almost two years. During that time, she has found many caches of weapons and stockpiles of munitions. She was awarded a Bronze Star and a Combat Action medal during her deployment to Iraq. Because she is so good at her job, she has become quite well known amongst the insurgent populace.

"They can clear an area one hundred times faster than Soldiers can," said Sgt. Mathew McKee, Staff Sgt. Archie's handler, "because they can smell through the walls."

"They're very aware of what the dogs can do," said Broda. "She has put a lot of people in prison. Staff Sgt. Figo has taken sniper fire " and it was directed at her specifically. I've heard that there is a $200,000 bounty for the man that brings back her ear."

All the dogs trained for this mission have a tattoo of their 'serial number" in their ear to identify them. Somehow the insurgents learned of this and have identified which animal to target. This has made it more dangerous for Staff Sgt. Figo to work outside the parameters of the Victory complex. These dogs are now assigned to Force Protection inside the walls of the complex, which keeps them sharp for missions in the field and safe from sniper bullets.

"She's only got a little while left here," said Broda. "Our tour is almost up and we'll get to go home. Then we'll get some time off and she can play all she wants for a while."

Playing is a special treat for dogs with such an important mission. "They have special toys they like to play with, like the tennis balls. Play is her treat for doing a good job. We don't give them food treats, that would make them lazy, but when we play ball with them, and they don't have to wear the harness, that is a treat."

"Engineer Specialized Search Dog Teams are definitely a force multiplier for all combat and combat support operations and have proven their ability and worth during multiple military operations. The dog teams are highly-trained professionals and perform every mission in a superior manner. From a command perspective, they are invaluable," said Brig. Gen. Robin Timmons, commander, 16th Engineer Brigade.

Staff Sgt. Figo is returning home with Sgt. Broda, and Staff Sgt. Archie will pick up where she leaves off. He's been learning the ropes from her for the last three months and is ready to take over for his teacher. For now, the dogs and the handlers share the routine, and the dangerous missions, as special teams -- keeping the forces on the Victory complex safe.