In an official statement released by the Pentagon, the United States of America’s Department of Defence, announced the retirement of a prominent military dog after 68-dog-years of distinguished service.
A U.S. Air Force dog identified as Jony, serving with the 20th Security Forces Squadron, has retired after nine years (or 68
dog years) of distinguished service, the U.S.
Department of Defence has said.
Pentagon, in a statement, said Jony retired due to a compressed disc in his spine, and has been permanently put in the hands of
its handler, Air Force Staff Sergeant Anthony Despins, a military working dog handler,
who met Jony as his first canine partner in 2012.
“Together, the two used their individual skill sets to make a formidable team, eventually
becoming certified as an explosives detection and patrol unit to keep people around the world safe and their fellow
airmen out of harm’s way,” Pentagon said.
“Jony was really excited, always happy to see people and very energetic. Even back then, Jony knew what was expected of him
and how to do his job.
“Jony’s performance during his initial training determined what certifications he received; military working dogs can receive
narcotics and explosives credentials as well as certification as a patrol dog.
“All their physical traits: their sight, their hearing, their nose, their speed, their teeth,
dogs bring so much to the table – things we can’t do and the equipment we’re provided
can’t do.
“Although the physical traits are necessary for success, it takes more than just advanced senses for a dog to pass initial
training.
“They must be able to listen to commands. If they can’t do that they’ll automatically be disqualified. Some dogs just don’t have the drive,” Pentagon quoted Despins as saying.
According to Pentagon, after Despins, Jony served with five other handlers, including
Air Force Sgt. Kevin Davis Jr., and the pair were deployed to Afghanistan together in
2013.
The Pentagon described Jony’s period with the military as a “distinguished service”.
“During one of his deployments, Jony went on more than 60 missions in support of
Operation Enduring Freedom, finding six explosives and enduring five firefights.
“Jony also went on seven explosive detection missions with the Secret Service in support of the president and vice president
of the United States.
“Thanks to Jony’s acute sense of smell, Davis and his team were able to come back home
to their families.”
According to Davis, the unwavering faith between military working dogs and
handlers is not left behind on the
battlefield. “They’re wingmen. Not only are they there through the thick and thin, the good times and the bad times, they’re there
to protect and they’re there to watch out for you,” he said.
According to Davis, the bond is
incomparable to any other. “You can create a facade as you’re going through your day
to day. However the dog knows; they know when something’s not right or if you feel down or depressed and are just trying to
keep a straight face,” Davis said.
Air Force Staff Sergeant Robert Coughlin, another military working dogs handler with
the Squadron, said: “Dogs would sacrifice and do anything for their handler. It doesn’t matter what it is. They have no fear of what
they go into as far as the danger.”
Pentagon said Air Force Staff, Sergeant Kathryn McCarthy, also a military working dogs handler, read a poem titled “Guardians
of the Night,” dedicated to military working dogs and their service, and traditionally read
at their retirement ceremonies, in honour of Jony.
