Airmen in Qatar Honor Fallen Military Working Dog's Handlers

By: Ashley Bunch, April 25, 2017, Air Force Times online (Photo Credit: Senior Airman Cynthia A. Innocent/U.S. Air Force)

At Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, U.S. airman commemorated fallen military working dogs and their handlers last week during a ceremony and three-mile ruck march with the 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, according to a DoD press release.

“Rucking is a great way to commemorate those who have given everything to their military service,” said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jacop Parker, the unit’s kennel master. “It was challenging for both the handler wearing a 60-pound ruck sack and the dog running alongside their handler.”

“The dogs may be our wingmen, but they are different than a normal wingman,” said Air Force Senior Airman Noah Medor, a dog handler with the 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron.

“Not everyone realizes that the dogs we train are not our pets. They are government assets, just like airmen. And because they are government assets, they are exposed to the same dangers we are, if not more,” Medor said.

More than 65 service members took part in the event.