January, 2011 Military Working Dog Team Support Association, Inc. Bi-Monthly Newsletter Volume 3, Issue 1 MWDTSA KENNEL TALK www.mwdtsa.org

Join MWDTSA now so Along Ancient Smuggling Routes you won‟t miss any of the photos, stories, news and highlights of 2011! Now six times a year!

Inside this issue: Why We Love Lucy! 2 Vietnam Vet Tech 2 authors books. Christmas Care Packs 5

I MEF „s Last Days in 7 “the Stan”

Marine Dog Handlers 8

Taran shows what he can find buried in the deserts of Iraq. Thanks to all of our Good boy, Taran. Story and photos from Maureen Rose published previously in the Turret. supporters who worked so hard to by Dixie Whitman so much for the support. I am happen. We also knew that this ensure that our in a tiny, tiny post on the Syr- team was literally at the end of handlers had a I first met Taran and his han- ian border (could throw a rock the supply chain and probably in Merry Christmas. dler, John Mras, via their won- into Syria), northwest of Mosul greater need than others at the derful kennelmaster at Fort by a town called Rabiyah. I still larger bases. So we sent a lot of We sent packages to Knox. Every time the kennel- haven't been able to find the support for both Taran and handlers deployed to master had a new dog team town on any online maps.” John, along with some other Iraq and Afghanistan. deploy, he would email me dog teams that rotated through their address and tell me they Not one to back down from a this remote location with them. Please know that your were deployed and would cer- geographically thrown gauntlet, donations made all of tainly enjoy one of our I finally tracked down the re- Please enjoy the story and pho- the difference. From MWDTSA packages, “if we mote spot on a map that he tos of John and Taran provided were still sending them”. called “home”. by Maureen Rose of the Turret the $5 monthly Newspaper at Fort Knox. The donation up to the I introduced myself to John and Home being a relative term, as photos of Taran searching on a $500 donation. All asked about where he was, what we learned that this location CSX train were fascinating and I were needed and type of dog he worked and was based at a centuries old felt sure our supporters would enjoy learning more about this appreciated. what he needed. His response smuggling route where bad came back, in part, “Thank you things could, and often did, amazing team. We thank you! Continued on page 4 Pa ge 2 MWDTSA KENNEL TALK Volume 3, Issue 1 www.mwdtsa.org R. T. Budd Entertains with Knight’s Blessing

The door gunner repo- sitioned himself in the helicop- ter's starboard well, directly be- hind his machine gun, and spoke into the microphone at- tached to his flight helmet. A moment later, the blade pitch changed, and the machine lifted slowly upward, and forward. Medina held Blackie's leash tightly as the dog lurched toward the open doorway, tail wagging and Author R.T. Budd began ears flapping in the breeze. his military career as a "The dogs really like veterinary technician and these chopper rides," Medina volunteered to join the said, over the rushing rotor 62nd Combat Tracker wash. Team in Vietnam. His "Yeah, I can see that," book, Knight’s Blessing, I replied, wondering if the dog uses experiences with his would drag his handler right out Combat Tracker Platoon the open doorway. as an inspiration so The helicopter glided realistic dialog and down the airstrip, dipping its situations are addressed nose slightly downward, and in this work. Below are gaining speed, and altitude. Up, two chapters edited to a up, we went, clearing the base “G” rating. Knight’s perimeter, then, flying over the Blessing is available at small village of Phouc Vinh itself. www.amazon.com Higher and higher we rose, far- ther and farther from the safety 37-The Marrakesh Ex- riding on the Marrakesh Express... stay away from the rear rotor of terra firma. As I ventured a They're taking me to Marrakesh...All blade, if you want to keep your press glance over the edge of the aboard... In spite of my geo- head connected to your shoul- doorway, I saw hundreds of graphical ignorance, I knew the ders!" small, water-filled craters, etched The jeep pulled up be- helicopter wasn't bound for Cautiously, I followed into the earth, by high-explosive, side a huge hanger on the flight Marrakesh. I had no idea the rest of the team to the chop- artillery rounds, fired from Camp line. A short distance away sat a where Marrakesh was, at the per, and climbed aboard, only to Gorvad. For miles around, it helicopter, its whirling blades time, but as a Guardian, I discover, there were no seats. looked like another world. If it beating the air into a frenzy. know everything now, geo- "I guess this is economy weren't for the clear, blue, MARRAKESH EXPRESS graphically speaking, that is. class," I yelled to Bass. aquatic pools, and surrounding was painted on the nose of the lush, jungle vegetation, the bar- A door gunner from "What?” Bass re- chopper, in bright yellow let- ren landscape might have been the noisy contraption leaned plied. It was nearly impossible ters. For an instant, I thought I mistaken for the gray pocked out from behind his M-60 ma- to hear anything. heard Crosby, Stills, and Nash, chine gun mount, and signaled surface of the moon. harmonizing in my head. Don't "Never mind," I said, us to board. Suddenly, the helicopter you know we're riding on the Mar- plopping down on the bare, shook violently. It was a brief rakesh Express...Don't you know we're "Hang on to your aluminum floor. hat, Doc," Bass warned, "and experience, and of no conse- MWDTSA KENNEL TALK Volume 3, Issue 1 Pa ge 3

www.mwdtsa.org R. T. Budd Entertains with Knight’s Blessing quence to a seasoned flyer, but it myself being sucked down as if some omnipotent power open clearing. Moments later, made my stomach churn, none- inside the spinning funnel of a had placed an impenetrable the door gunner waved us out theless. I swallowed hard, trying dark, endless, churning whirl- shield around me. Moments the door. I bailed out of the to dislodge the enormous lump pool as CS&N sang on. Don't earlier, I honestly feared my mechanical bird, landed upright in my throat. you know we're riding on the Mar- impending demise, but, now, I on my feet, dropped to my "When do they close rakesh Express...Don't you know was strong, confident, and even knees, and lunged forward onto the doors?” I asked with some we're riding on the Marrakesh Ex- euphoric about my future. my belly. Low crawling at the concern. press... They're taking me to Mar- Somehow, I felt secure from speed of light, I found an accom- rakesh...All aboard... the clutches of the Grim modating clump of bamboo "Ain't no doors to Reaper. I guess it was what trees, and halted, swinging my close," Bass informed me. some people might call a reli- CAR- 15 into firing position. It gious experience. Guardians "No doors, huh?" 38-Charlie Alpha! was a letter perfect, combat as- wouldn't call it that, but I was- "Not anymore," Bass sault, just like they taught in basic Sometime later, the n't a Guardian then. As I sat elaborated. "These babies used training. I was alive and ready chopper began a slow descent. there, on the floor of the gyrat- to have doors, but a couple of to engage the enemy. As I lay For the first time since arriving ing helicopter, surrounded by them vibrated off some of the on the L.Z., thoroughly pre- in Vietnam, I sensed the seri- my teammates, yet, strangely choppers, and messed up the pared for the coming battle, it ousness of the situation. This alone, I began to ponder the rotor blades. Caused some was strangely quiet. I peeked was no game. I was on board a notion of immortality. pretty bad accidents from what around the small thicket of bam- combat aircraft, preparing to I heard, so, they took the doors "Butterflies?" some- boo trees, hoping for a better dive into a throng of enemy off, permanently." one inquired, from a distant view of the battlefield. There soldiers! They weren't waiting world. wasn't any movement in my field "Oh, yeah?” I said, with open arms, a smile, a of vision; no Viet Cong soldiers retreating toward the center of My trance was bro- friendly handshake, a hug, and popping up and down like the the helicopter. ken by Christian Bass, a mere a kiss! They weren't the Wel- green, plastic targets on the firing mortal. "Not to worry, Doc," come Wagon lady bearing fruit range back in basic training. Bass smiled, confidently, "you baskets, and discount coupons. "No way," I replied There were no signs of confron- can't fall out. The centrifugal They wanted my flesh and stalwartly. To illustrate my tation anywhere. I was puzzled force keeps you in.” Bass blood! In a few minutes, I conviction, I slid forward sev- by the silent reception. Where stretched his arms high over his might be lying on the ground, eral feet, and perched boldly in were the thundering mortars, the head like a dare devil on a roller ten thousand miles from the open doorway, between flying shrapnel, the cracking rifles, coaster ride. "Look mom, no home, severely wounded or Medina, and the door gunner, the whizzing bullets, the blood hands!" worse. just as the helicopter swung curdling screams of men applaud- hard to starboard, beginning a "Right,“ I said skepti- "What am I doing ing in agony? sharp descent. I didn't fall out, cally, grabbing a firm hold on here?” I whispered, out loud. "Applauding in agony?” and even if I had, I knew all I one of the tie-down rings I muttered to myself. Slowly, I Fear not, Steven, a had to do was spread my arms bolted to the metal floor. Cen- looked back over my shoulder. mystical voice answered. I wide, like a giant eagle soaring trifugal force, or not, I wasn't Directly behind me stood Chapel, opened my eyes, and looked through the heavens, and glide, about to test the laws of physics Burdon, Medina, and Bass, all around. You must trust in me, ever-so-gently, to the safety of if it meant my being the central clapping their hands together in Steven. I will protect you as a the earth below. I was inde- component of the experiment. hysterical approval. Blackie, our mother protects her children. structible. From that point Labrador retriever, bounded over The craft veered again, Whoever was doing the talk- forward, I never again feared for to me, and playfully licked my as it encountered a strong, wind ing, sure the heck wasn't on my safety in Vietnam. That crimson face. gust. While my wavering bow- the helicopter! No harm will would, eventually, become my els headed for another time di- come to you. Believe in me, Steven. downfall. "Excellent technique, mension, I closed my eyes Believe. wouldn't you agree, gentlemen?” The helicopter tightly, hoping to regain my Medina teased. Suddenly, I was over- swooped down, toward an composure. Instead, I imagined whelmed by an invisible force, Continued at bottom of page 7 Pa ge 4 MWDTSA KENNEL TALK Volume 3, Issue 1 www.mwdtsa.org John and Taran Train

Continued from page 1

Mras and Taran doing joint training with CSX S.W.A.T. members. Using a CSX train on Fort Knox last year.

By MAUREEN ROSE via faster than a leashed dog could nario in Iraq—he tells Taran to However, because Mras and The Turret with a two-legged handler. He “move over” and then moves in Taran work so closely together, is often called upon to search the direction he wants Taran to they need a stronger bond, so— Just as military training has an entire wadi, which has be- mirror. like other SSD dog teams—they adapted to changes in warfare, come a favorite spot for ter- will stay together for the duration military working dogs have rorists to hide their explosives, “In the states, it‟s a point of of their careers. also been adapted to the as well as a frequent choke pride among SSD handlers to trends of the wars in Afghani- point for traffic, creating the see how far out the dog will During their recent deployment, stan and Iraq. deadly recipe for an attack work away from us,” said Mras. Mras and Taran were credited against American troops. “But in theater, we keep (the with two finds. The “best” cache Staff Sgt. John Mras and his dogs) closer due to the higher was a nondescript sack buried on specialized search dog, Taran, Not only does Taran have the risk.” sandy farmland; the bag contained returned to Fort Knox‟s 513th training to understand what 50 pounds of explosives, six feet Military Police company April he‟s searching for, he is at Most MWDs are permanently of detonation cord, 30 rounds of 8 after a year-long tour in Iraq. liberty to follow whatever assigned to a kennel and adjust sniper ammunition, two home- Taran, an 85-pound Belgian scent trail he detects and he to new handlers as they come made IED shells, four fake pass- Malinois and German shep- does it all 200 to 300 meters and go with career assignments. Continued on page 6 herd mix, is a 4-year-old away from his handler. The MWD. The specialized part of only limitation is line of sight Taran‟s moniker means he is and range of voice commands. very good at finding weapons, explosives and ammunition— An SSD‟s ability to search and in general, the compo- without his handler on his tail, nents of improvised explosive so to speak, gives the handler a devices, the bane of GIs in wider margin of safety should Iraq and Afghanistan. the dog detonate an IED.

Unlike most MWDs, however, Mras controls Taran with Taran searches off-leash. voice commands and hand signals. If he wants Taran to By searching off-leash, the dog search on the opposite side of covers more ground— a highway—a common sce- literally—and he does it much Volume 3, Issue 1 MWDTSA KENNEL TALK Pa ge 5

www.mwdtsa.org Christmas Care Packs 2010

Brent McGlothlin, Ann Wilkerson and Jerry Whitman are as Angie Shiplett, center, spearheaded a product drive to get Starbucks busy as Santa‟s elves preparing Christmas care packages which coffees into the care packages. With the support of the store man- were shipped to dog teams in harm‟s way. Doggy grooming, ager, Terry Moon, and the baristas from the Jonesboro Rd. Starbucks dog gear, snacks, Starbucks coffees, games and t-shirts are all in McDonough, GA, many yummy cups of instant coffee were in- donations that were sent. Multiple trips were made to the Post cluded in dog handlers‟ Christmas stockings this holiday season. Office to ship off all of the goodies. We got notes of thanks back from the handlers as they received their boxes…….

I want to say thank you for the pack- Hey there, just wanted to say thank ages you sent. The items sent will be you so much for the packages we re- put into good use. I do appreciate how ceived today, we really appreciate all the MWDTSA continues to support the the support you've given us and all K9 mission, both home and abroad. MWD teams. Take care, Amy Tim

Thank you for everything!!!! You have I have received the package and the been wonderful to us and the others dog loved it. I will keep in touch say thank you , as well….. and let you know how things are Travis going throughout the year. Thank you once again, Justin Pa ge 6 MWDTSA KENNEL TALK Volume 3, Issue 1 www.mwdtsa.org Taran continued from page 4 ports and four detonators. although Mras said he cannot facilities there and your pack- but hey whatever I have to actually say an area is “clear.” ages were lifesavers. I was so do to get him healthy. We are That significant find earned tired of MRE's and local food non-deployable for three Taran his “reward” for the “All I can say is that my dog did- that I don't think the food you months to see if the cancer day—play time with his four- n‟t find anything,” Mras said. sent lasted more than a couple returns, but hopefully in inch ball. “Even dogs are only 95 percent days at a time. It was like about another week I'll be accurate.” Christmas every time I got a able to start working him package from you because I again and getting him back “If he finds anything in theater, knew it would be filled with the up to par for our next de- he can have his ball all day as An update note from John: goods. Oh, and I can't forget to ployment. Believe me when I long as we don‟t have any more mention the Furminators. I say that I give him a thor- work to do,” Mras said. “Taran and I have been together believe our exact words were ough check everyday for any- for about 3 1/2 years - starting in "Wow"....it's like getting the thing out of the ordinary. I'm While dogs are not people, they school when we were both learn- unexpected really nice gift from sure the vet is getting tired of share many qualities. Like peo- ing the ropes on being K-9. We a distant relative on Christmas. the calls.” ple, Mras said, dogs don‟t work deployed to Iraq in the beginning I'll have to send in pics of me well when they‟re tired. of 2008 and moved all over north- using mine while I was there With John‟s help, we hope to ern Iraq - 1 month in Baghdad, once I find them. keep everyone updated on “When they‟re totally rested, couple months in Mosul, few months on COP Heider in Rabi- Taran‟s health and welfare. the dogs are 95 percent accu- Once we got back from Iraq, yah, and a few months on Sykes We pray they are healthy rate,” Mras said. “But that rate we had some downtime before in Tal Afar. enough to go on another drops with fatigue. It‟s up to our PCS here and once here I deployment together. the handler to say when his dog began preparing to go to annual is too tired to work. And you Our mission load varied on the Certification. The Friday before can‟t reason with a dog like you season and our location from a we left for Certification, I was can a Soldier and tell him „It‟s couple missions a day to a couple giving Taran a bath in prep for just one more mile, we‟re al- a week. I'm proud to say that we our flight - don't want a stinky most there.‟ If you keep push- had several finds, but would hon- dog on a plane - when I noticed ing a dog, you will miss some- estly loved to have gotten more - a very small bump on his back thing. Taran could walk over an that is why we were there after all. leg. I took him to the vet ex- atom bomb when he‟s tired and It gives such a huge feeling of pecting it to be nothing and we he won‟t care.” satisfaction and feeling of worth had a sample taken and sent when you find something that off. Toward the end of his tour, would have been used to harm others. It really makes the time Mras was asked to work with While at Certification however I over there seem worthwhile. the Iraqi police, demonstrate got the call that it was actually a his dog‟s capabilities, and in- Mast Cell Tumor and had to be spect the facilities they hope to As far as the support we received removed ASAP. Crap. I plan on use for a working dog program from you and MWDTSA, I could- adopting this dog and I do not of their own. n't have asked for more. Initially I need him getting cancer and didn't really know anything about ruining his chances of a couch “Units have lots of faith in the the organization, but through out filled retirement. Anyway, while dog teams, and we don‟t put the year and package after pack- he was in surgery I noticed a teams out there if we‟re not age, I was able to see just how another small bump on the confident in their abilities,” said dedicated you really are to sup- inside of his other back leg. Sgt. 1st Class Barry Lenderman, porting MWD teams and your That too turned out to be can- the kennelmaster for the 513th passion really shines through. cer. He has been in recovery for MP group. about three weeks now and it's I would have to say that your sup- looking good. Although I do Units often wait for dog teams port helped the most while I was have to come in every eight to tell them if an area is “clear,” at Heider. We had very minimal hours to give him injections;

Thanks to Newnan Kennel Club for their generous donation. “You guys rock!!” Volume 3, Issue 1 MWDTSA KENNEL TALK Pa ge 7

Last Days in “The Stan” ~~ Camp Pendleton Dog Handlers Celebrate the End of Deployment

As this article is written, the Marine contacts emailed the following Dog Handlers from Camp Pendle- message “We have been ton‟s 1st Marine Expeditionary through the highest of highs Force are in the process of returning and the lowest of lows but all home from a deployment in Af- our experiences have pulled ghanistan. MWDTSA will be part us together.” Forged in fire. of that homecoming celebration, whenever it happens. As with any other stressful time, it is always important to This unit had a difficult deployment blow off some steam together with significant losses. One of our and to end their tour on a positive note. We are grateful that one of the guys allowed us the opportu- nity, through his photos, to see this unit in their last days A Marine’s Message: in Afghanistan, celebrating the Enjoying an end of tour BBQ, a gas masked Marine Handler end of their deployment. cooks hearty. Below, Marine handler, James, meets Mark Wahlberg, star of the new series “Blue Bloods” in “The Stan” “We are looking to be home Shown at right is a gas-masked by Christmas and I cant wait. This has been an amazing op- master griller who was putting portunity to deploy with this on the feedbag for others in group of Marines.” his unit. “We have been through the An opportunity to meet the highest of highs and the low- CBS Blue Bloods series star, est of lows but all our experi- Mark Wahlberg, would have ences have pulled us to- gether.” been a highlight in my book. How cool is that? Thanks to “I wish I could go into the Mark Wahlberg and other stars operations we have supported like him who give of their time and I will be able once we are home...... but I'll tell you we to support the military. The have made history.” impact of their support is im- measurable.

Con’t from page 3 Knight’s Blessing

"Personally, I think over there on your belly like a shoulder. "You know, Doc, pened anyway. In all the ex- Doc was dragging his butt on the snake, or you can get up and it's a darn good thing this was- citement of the combat as- low crawl," Burdon criticized. walk over there like a human n't a hot L.Z. after all." "Doc, this is a secure being. It's your choice, Doc, sault, I had forgotten to load but I tell you from my own ex- "Why's that?" L.Z.," Bass explained. it. But, what the heck, I was perience, that walking is a lot "Look at your "Well, no one told me faster!” Chapel wheeled away weapon," Bass pointed. immortal now! that," I said, wiping dog saliva shaking his head. "Newbies!" from my cheeks. he grunted. I inspected my CAR-15, and I Chapel walked over Thoroughly embar- realized my magazine well was and stood above me as I lay rassed, I stood up and brushed there on the ground. "The rest the dirt from my jungle fatigues. empty. I felt like a total idiot. of us are heading over there a As the others followed Chapel Had I pulled the trigger on my ways, to find the CO of this across the field, Bass placed a rifle, nothing would have hap- outfit. Now, you can crawl sympathetic arm around my Military Working Dog Team Support Association, Inc. Welcome Home, Marines

MWDTSA P. O. Box 5864 Canton, GA 30114 Editor: Dixie Whitman

Phone: 404-451-2539 E-mail: [email protected] We are on the web!! www.mwdtsa.org Follow our Blog for more photos. Sit. Stay. Support.

Please Recycle by Sending to a Friend Dog Handlers from Camp Pendleton arrive in Af- ghanistan for a deployment that just ended in De- cember. MWDTSA sent a ‘Welcome Home”.

Marine Dog Teams in Afghanistan

Marine K9 Teams pose for a group photo.