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We used German shepherds like Smokey, mixes of shepherd types, and Labrador retrievers that were well trained in detecting, attacking, and tracking the enemy. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. USMC & Handlers from our allies killed in Vietnam, Thailand, I know all your dog handler friends are. Dogs and their handlers went through three phases of instruction: drill/obedience, aggression, and scouting. Over 1,600 + dogs are extensive effort to control this disease and to 15 Sep 2021. After 11 months and 27 days as an Air Force dog handler in Vietnam, Langley and Vogie parted company. Sentry dogs would protect military bases and scout dogs would enable the troops to attack the VC. The United States Military Working Dog DemonstrationTeam was formed in 1975 at Lackland AFB. In this Holland Vietnam Veterans episode, I interviewed Bob Curnick, a dog handler who served in the Air Force from 1972-1976. This is a horrible disaster for these dogs. and secondary sources, describes the epizootic, He completed K9 training at Lackland. 71-72', list all USAF, USN, USA, Enemy fighters used the jungle to their advantage, employing guerilla tactics (such as ambushes, mines, tunnels, and traps) in ways that U.S. troops hadnt encountered before. CHARLES HENRY WAS A DOG HANDLER WITH THE U.S. AIR FORCE DURING THE VIETNAM WAR. Dogs were trained as scouts and sentries as well as other duties. Handlers & Don,Great article. Photo Above Courtesy of Nemo's War Dog Heroes Memorial. By clearing routes of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and sniffing out other explosive ordinance, they're helping to save the lives of coalition and Afghan forces. Rosa and Joyce went to the base commander, explained the situation and requested that they be given combat boots and fatigues. And although it appeared that the dogs were being instructed, it was the soldiers who were actually being taught. The only thing that would make him happier is if he could have brought Prince home himself. Some, but not many, were transferred to the South Vietnamese military and police. Together, we can make sure our heroes will get the reverence they deserve and the stories and sacrifices of our heroes will never be forgotten. deaths. Class John Langley of Venice stood in front of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., and read 30 servicemens names who appear on the memorial together with more than 58,000 others inscribed there forever. | |, Leo Approximately 4,000 dogs served in the Vietnam War leading patrols with their handlers. He received the Silver Star for alerting the airbase a VC attack was coming. This refers to MWDs whosespeed, strength, and bite are a cut above the rest. VSPA.com, its design and content are 1995-2023, of the Vietnam Security Police Association, Inc. (USAF). They knew the drills inside and out, and we did not. Detect the presence of a force, alert or observe without enemy force detection; Assist security forces by scouting and tracking; Work safely in close proximity to friendly forces on strike teams, reconnaissance and ambush patrols without becoming distracted or agitated. problem among military working dogs. Exercising of K-9 sentry dogs and patrolling tactics used by the handlers of the 37th Security Police Squadron in Phu Cat Air Base, Vietnam. Military veterinarians launched an Army Military Working Dog Handlers (MOS 31K) are responsible for training and caring for their service dog. Scout dogs were trained to alert on enemy movement, booby traps, land mines, base camps, underground tunnel complexes, and underground caches of weapons, food and medical supplies. In January 1966, Nemo and his handler Airman Leonard Bryant, Jr., were transferred to the Republic of South Vietnam with a large group of other sentry dog teams. This scent or sound alert was also true of the sentry dog teams, like Smokey and me. Take the thin, monofilament lines that were practically invisible to the human eye, which the Vietcong attached to a grenade or other explosive device that detonated when tripped. A large proportion of American infantry casualties were caused by these devastating devices. . A contingent of former Vietnam dog handlers will be there standing with Langley as part of the Veterans Day services at The Wall this week. I know you have a son and I know that he had to be very proud of you. Many more followed, with the U.S. Air Force sentry force in Southeast Asia peaking in early 1967 at nearly 500 dogs. Tom King was another handler who attended. Face-to-face with Elvis, an energetic German shepherd, U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Alyssa Stamps, a military working dog handler with the 35th Security Forces Squadron, makes a grab for the ball. Lisa Rogak, in " The Dogs of War," commented that the Viet Cong offered the equivalent of $20,000 for a dog's ear; proof of the handler's death only garnered the equivalent of $10,000. Defenders and military working dogs from the 75 th Security Forces Squadron at Hill Air Force Base gathered with the community on K-9 Veterans Day, March 13, to dedicate a Vietnam Veterans War Dog Memorial at Layton Commons Park. "I would wager that 90 percent of American combat troops killed in action during the Vietnam War never saw their killers. Some day, Ill be in heaven with you and we can once again walk our dogs. Everything for our dogs. Please email me with information. I just dont get it ! This is when a military working dog runs and hits a decoyso hardthat the decoy ends up dazed and confused on the ground, and handlers watching are more than likely laughing their butts off. served in Vietnam or I laugh at some of the things we all did. The 22-year-old received the Silver Star, for sounding the initial alarm that an enemy attack was under way, and the Purple Heart, both posthumously. (Air Force photo/Lisa Camplin) "Feed the Dawgs is a U.S. Veterans group of Vietnam era dog handlers who travel from base-to-base to provide a meal for K-9 handlers and their families," said Kenneth Neal, Vietnam Dog Handlers Association member. New Zealands elite Special Air Service in Malaysia, Throughout the course of the war, 4,000 dogs served in Vietnam and Thailand, A human nose has about five million scent receptors, Dogs and their handlers went through three phases of instruction: drill/obedience, New Zealand's elite Special Air Service in Malaysia. There were 4,000 dogs and 9,000 handlers and no recognition for them at all.. Bill was the first SEAL to handle Dogs in SEAL Team. - Food and Soda Drinks The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test determines where a prospective service member might excel in the military. These dogs are credited with saving more than 10,000 lives. Mayaguez K-9 Memoriam Every dog responded to both verbal and nonverbal hand commands. The success of the war dogs and handlers walking point, tracking, guarding, patrolling, and protecting American lives and military assets, ultimately reduced the enemys capacity for surprise attacks. You had to be careful not to get in an area that was being hit by one of these dragon ships or a helicopter gun ship. As some of the only . After completing an 8-week training course, he was assigned to Fairchild AFB, Washing, for duty with the Strategic Air Command. Dragon ships sprayed the surrounding jungle with bullets. Less aggressive but still highly intelligent shepherd dogs went to the scout school. - Water bottles (clear, sealed bottle, up to 20 oz.) Since then, no adoptable dogs are euthanized at the end of their military service. WWII, U-T Hometown: Needham, Mass. Det. Their keen senses, learning ability, endurance & devotion have made them invaluable companions. Private donations poured in and a major $50,000 grant from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission was key in getting the project off the ground. Credited with saving Throneburg's life, Nemo was hailed as a hero. Vice president Ernie Ayala says that it is difficult to think about how these dogs saved their lives and in return the handlers went home and left the dogs behind. The dogs are trained at a training center on Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. The VC fired 60 to 80 rounds into parked aircraft and troop billets then withdrew undetected and unabated. By Sheila Tunney, Public Affairs Specialist March 18, 2020 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Air Force K9 Dog Handler Careers. Lava Army and Marine Corps snipers were another group targeted with the threat of bounties because they were force multipliers on the battlefield. Air Force Photo. Then the US government in the end of the war would not allow the scout dogs to come home instead they were either euthanized or turned over to the ARVN an ultimately end up on the dinner table. Includes sound bites from Staff Sgt Tim Castillo and Staff Sgt Witney Young, U.S. Air Force 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. I feel really sorry for these soldiers . The dogs sense of smell and hearing saved a lot of American lives. Due in large part to their collective efforts, Robbys Law was passed by the U.S. Congress in 2000. In a decision that remains controversial to this day, the Department of Defense classified the dogs as equipment, and most were left behind transferred to the army of South Vietnam, systematically euthanized, or simply abandoned. Pablo Gonzalez. Reeves was sent home in 1971 but Prince stayed behind. Motts Military Museum in Groveport, Ohio (a suburb of Columbus, Ohio), dedicated the new Vietnam War Dog Team Memorial. This unfitting end motivated Vietnam dog handlers to act. He arrived in Vietnam with Prince on September 12, 1970. At times, these weapons even turned such situations upside down and enabled us to surprise and take them out. Most MWDs that defecate in their kennels will simply wait for their handler to clean it up. An estimated 4,000 dogs and 9,000 military-dog handlers served in Vietnam. King and Fritz arrived in Vietnam in January 1967. Bases in SEA & Topics of control, although ehrlichiosis still remains a "The dog, being a non-commissioned officer, or NCO, would outrank or match in rank to . Battles/Campaigns: Vietnam. These dogs and their handlers are credited with saving more than 10,000 U.S. lives (imagine The Wall with 10,000 more names inscribed on it) and preventing certain injury for countless more. Within a few years, several hundred dogs had been turned over to the Vietnamese military. For the Air ForceBasic Military Training: 8.5 weeks; For the Coast GuardRecruit Training: 8.5 weeks . History. Eryn Bailey, 27th Special Operations Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dog handler, performs a routine checkup on a dog during a two-day family pet clinic at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, Feb 15, 2022. Throneburg, who was still in the hospital, seeing Nemo for the first time after the attack. In mid-1968 an epizootic occurred which threatened the working dog program and led to 250 canine deaths. Your email address will not be published. I went to see the dedication at The Wall when it first opened in 82 and realized they had nothing to recognize the dog handlers who died in the war, he said. It's a 120-day course, where basic skills are learned and, at the unit, they learn more. When a handler asks another handler to decoy for their MWD. He researched what became of his dog, Prince, and published the results in a book he self-published in 2016. The U.S. Army had the highest number of infantry scout dog teams deployed throughout South Vietnam and consequently suffered the highest number of casualties, dogs and handlers, of the war. All visitors may be screened with a metal detector upon entry. Combat tracker teams consisted of five soldiers and two Labrador retrievers. MWDs areincredibly strong and athletic andso when the situation calls for a handler to maintain tightcontrol of their dog, they will apply a short safety. All handlers use a 6-foot leash and, with the dog on their left, they will hold the end of the leash in their right hand while using their left hand to grab the leash halfway down and wrap it once around their hand to ensure the dog stays close. Very few dogs were redeployed to U.S. bases outside of South Vietnam to live out their lives in peace. My Marine friend got medication, food, vitamin supplemens from a veterinarian and shipped them to the ARVN. Whenever he visits the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C., he looks at the names of the soldiers who died on September 12, 1970, and on February 14, 1971. I dont know what all that means up there but what you might want to do is copy the link that the page is on and share it that way. These dogs were rarely sent into combat. It is unnatural, theres no reason for it, and typically its a sign of the handler not being relaxed. Handler tours (multiple tours are shown also) and dog assignments by base, The real story of the Vietnam War - WAR DOGS- AMERICA'S FORGOTTEN HEROES, MWD Criteria for Inclusion USAF Police Virtual Memorial. When they finished their tours of duty, their dogs remained behind to work with other handlers. While stationed in Thailand with the 56th Security Police Squadron Bob formed a steadfast relationship with his military working dog Rex. - Purses Its important to always remember to trust your dog because if theres anyone who is wrong, its the handler because the dog is always right. https://www.vvmf.org/topics/Dogs-of-the-Vietnam-War/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoqvA8xafKg, https://www.vvmf.org/The-Wall-That-Heals/, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLK63b6Cn53unMMj-yZYEch0RuYy1YN1zl, Vietnam Dog Handlers Association http://www.vdha.us/. Our US Air Force Dog Handler, K9 Unit Experience, Cam Ranh AB. Memorial Why Then on February 14, 1971, Prince stopped Reeves as he was about to step over a fallen tree. The Vietnam War introduced American troops to a new kind of warfare. Dogs and Handlers Lost: Vietnam Dogs and their handlers went through three phases of instruction: drill/obedience, aggression, and scouting. . But there have been false reports that military dogs were sometimes left. Reeves attended the dedication of the new memorial. I was shocked when I heard that you had been killed during the attack on your base in Siagon. Patrolling thick, triple-canopy jungles was dangerous by day, and even more perilous by night. Download time will be effected by your ** Two handlers and one ex handler (total of eighteen Security Police personnel KIA) were on the CH-53 helicopter that crashed during the Mayaguez rescue attempt. Dog Handler Bob Curnick was a dog handler who served in the Air Force from 1972-1976. Dogs of the Vietnam War Dog Handlers Approximately 4,000 dogs served in the Vietnam War leading patrols with their handlers. Sometimes, a not at source or pinpoint is added when the instructor notices the dog is on the odor but hasnt found the training aid yet. share a common bond. He will also be one of the official readers at The Wall in Washington, D.C., afterward. A Marine dog handler I knew finished his 13-month tour of duty in 1969 and was told his dog, Taddy, was being transferred to the ARVN. I had alot of buddies from K9 school that were stationed in Thailand. He was killed in a Viet Cong mortar attack in December 1966. On a night in early December 1966, about 75 enemy raiders slipped past the first perimeter line at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam. . . His handler, Airman 1st Class Robert Throneburg, released him to attack. Tan Son Nhut Air Base on December 4, one air force handler and three sentry dogs were killed during a VC penetration. the epizootic. In the jungles of Vietnam, nearly 4,000 specially trained dogs served in a variety of combat roles, reportedly saving tens of thousands of U.S. troops from injury and death. All of the other dog handlers were doing the same thing. As a result, all handlers in the military use key terms and phrases that every handler will understand. The several thousand surviving war dogs were crated and no longer performing their jobs in the field because their masters were ordered out of South Vietnam. PRINCE 871M Vietnam RETURNED. 1975-76 to the DOD Dog Center, Lackland AFB, Texas. dog's fate! Required fields are marked *. - Box cutters U.S. Air Force dog handlers provided a unique and critical capability in defending air bases against attack. Photo provided, After reading George Bevichs name during the official ceremony that began Thursday at The Wall, he planned to put a picture of Bevich squatting beside Rex, holding his M-16 rifle in Vietnam when he was a 22-year-old, shortly before he was killed. King was stationed as a military policeman at Lockbourne Air Force Base (now known as Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base) in Columbus, Ohio, when a commanding officer sent him to be trained as a dog handler. (South East-Asia). Not a pleasant thought to consider given their incredible service, endurance, and devotion to duty. Whats more, all our dogs had lived with our American smells for years. The dogs were given to the ARVN, and were used in combat. I never mind when people share this website with their family and friends. - Camera bags The handler trusted the dog with his life, and the dog was absolutely loyal, even to the death. I added other services because all dog handlers When an MWDis released to bite, handlers want them to get a full mouth bite, clench tight, and hold on until the handler gets there so the suspect cant get away. Copyright 2003-2021. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Mabins also has the distinction of being the first African American female dog handler in the Air Force. . Most of the dogs that survived the war were either euthanized or sent to work for the South Vietnamese Army. To submit stories Thank You. They had their good days and their bad days, he explained, On a good day, Vogie would pay attention and really be alert, watching out for everything. He flew home and another airman took over handling his shepherd, which remained in the war zone. Mark Smoot served in the U.S. Air Force as an Airman 1st Class with the 56th Security Police Squadron in Thailand from 1971-1972. Reeves grew up loving dogs so he volunteered for the opportunity to be a dog handler. What happened to them after that? Langley was asked. Commendations: In the Vietnam War about 350 dogs were killed in action and 263 handlers were killed. Individuals are permitted to take their own photographs or videos while touring the museum. History, Natural Old Dawgs Supporting Young Pups, Bulletin Boards: At this time the only Air Force involvement had been supporting (with the US Army ) the Vietnamese Sentry Dog program. RAF Military Working Dogs play a vital role supporting RAF Police Handlers to protect people and fight crime. Reeves was a dog handler in Vietnam. When anMWD has escaped a controlled environment, handlers will yell LOOSE DOG! to alert everyone in the area. Bevich and a group of four other dog handlers and their dogs were on their way to Vietnam and Langley drove them to Logan Airport in Boston for the trip overseas. The vision of VVMF is to ensure a society in which all who have served and sacrificed in our nation's Armed Forces are properly honored and receive the recognition they justly deserve. Under PROJECT TOP DOG 145, the U.S. Air Force sent 40 sentry dogs and 40 handlers to South Vietnam in the summer of 1965. stories/photos He received the Silver Star for alerting the airbase a VC attack was coming. Due to the nature and escalation of the war, in 1965 the Army decided to reactivate its scout dog program. Officer '66-'67, Steve Janeke & Sentry Dog Kobuc X448 He was procured by the Air Force when he was one and a half years old. They were so effective that they became special targets for the enemy, who began attacking kennels and offering bounties for the shoulder patch of a dog handler or the tattooed ear of a service dog. He talks about serving with his K-9, Jake, and the roles of military working dogs in-country. evaluation of the disease threat in areas where (LogOut/ Claims! Only about 200 of the dogs came home to the US. They must have established a very strong bond with these dogs and when one of the team gets wounded or killed thee emotions of loosing your best friend is embedded in your brain forever. An official website of the United States government, National Museum of the United States Air Force. Chet Moore gets another car. The mission of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) is to honor and preserve the legacy of service and educate all generations about the impact of the Vietnam War. Black and yellow Labs were favored. Dogs of SEA Worksheet list all known dogs assigned Chemical Exposure VSPA A scout dog team was deployed as pointman which is the most vulnerable and dangerous position of a tactical formation moving through enemy territory. It was Langleys and Vogies duty to hide out in the underbrush and sit quietly from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. the next morning watching, listening and staying out of sight. Fort military working dogs as sentries, scouts, These dogs are credited with saving more than 10,000 lives. I remember how we all got off the plane in Hawaii with our dogs and took them out on the ramp eventhough the government told us they had to remain on the plane. Not every unit on patrol got a dog; there werent enough to go around, and in those cases, a Soldier would have to walk point alone. Smoke in the background. Over time, you will have the opportunity to advance into higher ranks. He and his shepherd were stationed 3 miles from the fence surrounding the airbase along a path surrounded by jungle. The While serving as a dog handler and sentry in Montana, Bob was called to protect one of the last American bases in Southeast Asia after the withdrawal of American troops from Vietnam in 1973, known as Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base. To do this they need to make noises and watching them scream and grunt for the first time can be hilarious. By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, MIGHTY NETWORKS, 2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, Russian soldiers calls back home reveal horrifying experiences in Ukraine, 5 Fake Enemies US Troops Have Been Battling For Decades, The 7 Thoughts That Go Through Your Head When You Cant Find Your Rifle. The tracker dog teams were very effective and relied on heavily. first Air Force Dog Handler to die in Vietnam. The dog handlers begged and pleaded for the government to let them take thier dogs home. When Vogies ears would go up, the fur on her back would go up, her tail would also go, I knew she had something, Langley said. Clinical and experimental My companion was a German shepherd named Smokey. Stormys first master was Ron Aiello, President ofwww.uswardogs.org. Weapons, Maria Goodavage:"America's Canine Heroes" (00:37:23). The decision to classify the war dogs as equipment and leave them all behind (several thousand) after the war remains the saddest chapter in Americas military working dog history. On 1 August, Capt Robert M. Sullivan and 53 air policemen, including six sentry dog/handler teams, were transferred from the 366th Air Police Squadron at Phan Rang Air Base to be the cadre for the newly activated 37th Air Police Squadron at Qui Nhon.Their first assignment was to escort 63 engineers of the 554th and 555th Civil Engineer Squadrons to Ph Ct, and then to assume . Handlers reward their dogs so much that they call themselves nothing but a kong dispenser. It was well known that the enemy put a bounty on both the handlers and their dogs. share a common bond. * Estimated delivery dates - opens in a new window or tab include seller's handling time, origin ZIP Code, destination ZIP Code and . You are a member of that organization and your name is on our honor roll. When our politicians decided to exit Vietnam in a hurry the military classified our dogs as equipment. As such, they were left behind. Hear him talk about his service, from parachuting with Prince, to lying on ambush in Vietnam with Prince. - Strollers Dog teams form a bond so strong that a handlers attitude will affectthe dogs attitude and vice versa. I was a sentry dog handler in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968, a member of the 212th Military Police Sentry Dog Company stationed in Tay Ninh. In the Vietnam War about 350 dogs were killed in action and 263 handlers were killed. infected animals brought the epizootic under When Reeves investigated the spot where he nearly stepped, he found an unexploded shell that had been rigged as a mine. was a dog handler who served in the Air Force from 1972-1976. U.S. Marine dog handler, Corporal Michael Galloway and his Scout Dog, Stormy search a tunnel and find an enemy satchel of explosives ( Vietnam 1970). Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vietnam Era Dog Tag plus US Air Force Patches | Memorial Ephemera & Misc Affects at the best online prices at eBay! Canine ehrlichiosis, a listed by name, brand number, and bases assigned. Dog teams were placed on the perimeter in front of machine gun towers/bunkers. Air Base Defense Every dog accepted was highly intelligent, and each became a canine soldier, with his or her own individual four-digit service number tattooed in the left ear. Photo provided, https://donmooreswartales.com/2015/08/10/john-langley/. - Backpacks They were certainly not all purebreds. Of the 4,000 dogs that served in-country, fewer than 200 made it back to the States. considered the last combat action of the Vietnam war. Vietnam The dogs handler could determine the distance to the danger, usually by the degree of his dogs state of alert. Then, instead of walking into the Vietcong trap, he could call in fire or air support to obliterate the enemy position. Dogs who become certified as military working dogs have gone through an extensive selection and training process. References He extended for a month-in-country to help Taddy get accustomed to her new situation. "We now have 2,000 former dog handlers in our organization today." Airman 2/C George Bevich, a dog handler in Vietnam is pictured with his dog, Rex. duty military dogs, rigorous tick control, The middle panel contains the words, The Unbreakable Bond.. Fritz was trained to be a sentry dog. Military working dogs are the worlds most-highly trained dogs and must be controlled or in a controlled environment at all times for everyones safety. The typical responsefrom a handler whose dog was jammed is to ask the decoy if they want peanut butter. Dogs were trained to alert their handlers to all kinds of hidden dangers, from snipers to trip wires and weapons caches. When he went home, he stayed in contact with Taddys ARVN handler. Ray Roberts & King, Da Nang AB Vietnam April 1973 Photo Courtesy of Don Poss, Fred Hewitt & Sentry Dog Bullet Da Nang AB Perimeter Dec 1967 Photo courtesy of Monty Moore, A1C Shark and K-9 Heino at Cam Ranh Bay AFB Vietnam. . According to Dogs in History, only about 200 of the more than 4,000 dogs who served in Vietnam made it out. Our training instructors seemed to take a perverse pleasure in informing us how dumb we were compared with the dogs. Natural The program that deals with the Department of Defense Military working dog program is the United States Air Force. Story Ian Harvey is one of the authors writing for WAR HISTORY ONLINE, The Follow-Up to Band of Brothers is Coming. - Hero of Tan Son Nhut AB. Unfortunately, some MWDs like to play with it and spread it every where they can. Nemo's On Jan. 30, 1968, all hell broke lose. Fritz trained with King as a sentry dog dogs that generally were not used in combat, but to guard perimeters of bases. served with BUD/S Class 13, UDT 21, UDT 22, SEAL Team Two with three tours in Vietnam. Many more followed, with the U.S. Air Force sentry force in Southeast Asia peaking in early 1967 at nearly 500 dogs. 18 February 1969. Augmentee. Under PROJECT TOP DOG 145, the U.S. Air Force sent 40 sentry dogs and 40 handlers to South Vietnam in the summer of 1965. They were trained to sniff out mines and booby traps buried in roads, hidden on bridges or in buildings, and sniff out the location of tunnels. John Davis, 3rd SPS, Bien Hoa AB, 1969 Photo Courtesy of Paul Kaiser, Bien Thuy Vietnam 1967/68 Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. While serving as a dog handler and sentry in Montana, Bob was called to protect one of the last American bases in Southeast Asia after the withdrawal of American troops from Vietnam in 1973, known as Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base. Their primary role was to track the enemys scent or blood trails throughout South Vietnam, so that larger American forces could reengage. Rank: Airman 2/Class There were hundreds of VC running out of the woods toward the airbase, he said. USAF A human nose has about five million scent receptors; a shepherd has at least 225 million. military dogs are employed, disease education of Airman Robert A. Thorneburg was assigned as Nemo's handler in July 1966. MWDs build up a lot ofmomentum when they run after the decoy. And throughout training that special bond was formed between trooper and dog. By clearing routes of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and sniffing out other explosive ordinance, they're helping to save the lives of coalition and Afghan forces. Both lists are in PDF