SCOTT AFB, Ill. --- 8/1//06 --
The 375th Security Forces Squadron members have bid farewell to two military working dogs recently.
Apol, a 10 year old German Shepard, was retired June 19 with more than
1,700 hours of search time and supporting 43 U.S. Secret Service missions.
During his eight years at the 375th SFS, Apol completed three deployments supporting Operations Southern Watch, Iron Clad, Enduring and Iraqi Freedom, two United Nation Conventions and 14 actual bomb treats.
“His commitment to duty resulted in 14 actual explosive finds and three suspect finds, with one of the suspects being armed,” said Tech. Sgt. Chad Coil, 375th SFS Military Working Dogs Section. “Also during his career he performed in 39 K9 demos for over 3,500 participants and competed in the 2001 Worldwide K9 competition at Lackland AFB, Texas.”
Apol’s replacement, Roy, has already hit the ground running scheduled to deploy March, 2007. Roy is a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois and was assigned to the 375th SFS April 13. His current handler is Staff Sgt. Bryan Kramer and is awaiting base certification. Roy entered active duty June 15 last year and graduated from patrol dog school Dec. 2, and then graduated from explosive detector dog school March 24.
The SFS also bid farewell to Melvin and Zina. Melvin, an 8-year-old Belgian Malinois completed more than 360 hours of search time, resulting in five narcotic finds. He also performed in 13 K-9 demos for over 1,200 participants. Zina is returning to Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, to retire and work as a training aid. She earned the “Top Dog” award from Eagle Flag Alpha.
“Her commitment to duty resulted in one actual explosive find, locating one suspect and earning the “Top Dog” award from Silver Flag Alpha,” said Sergeant Coil.
Zina is a 5-year-old German Shepard and was first assigned to the 375th on 25 March 2003 during her career she conducted over 540 hours of actual search time, supporting 25 US Secret Service Missions, totaling 88 days; a deployment for 120 days supporting Operation Southern Watch; and one United Nations Convention and five actual bomb threats.