AFMC Command News

Man's best friend recognized for military service

  • Published
  • By Lois Walsh
  • 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFMCNS) --  With dignity so richly earned, the 96th Security Forces Squadron retired one of its own Nov. 17 at the Air Armament Museum.

While a retirement is not unusual, the guest of honor was-he had four legs and lounged on the floor while listening to glowing words about his illustrious career.

The honoree was Toby A227, a Dutch Shepard military working dog, recognized for her contributions to the military for 49 years -- dog years, that is.

Besides the retirement, a first here, another part of a ceremony was a memorial to honor eight military working dogs who were laid to rest in the past three years. All served with the 96th SFS or the 16th SFS at Hurlburt Field.

"Today we honor those, unfortunately, who have passed away and have served our country in selfless acts of loyalty," said Tech. Sgt. Larry Millard, 96th SFS kennel master.

Sergeant Millard said the military working dogs play a vital role in fighting the global war on terrorism and protecting heads of state, including the president.

Major Scott Farrar, 96th SFS commander, said a lot of people don't realize the dogs aren't treated like pets.

"Our dogs are always locked-on, ready to do the mission," Major Farrar said. "This is serious business; the dogs provide us a lot of capability."

The major said the dogs dominate a crime scene.

"If you have a scene that goes bad, there are two things that get folks' attention: racking a pump shotgun and having a military working dog on scene -- and their effect is far greater. The response you see from the bad guys is fear."

Major Farrar said the military working dogs have a long history of service, dating back to the mid-1800s. Formal training began again in 1968 at Lackland AFB, Texas. Currently, the center there is responsible for training more than 1,400 dogs across the Department of Defense.

Now that Toby's retired, she has a new life to look forward to. A law enacted in 2000 permits the adoption of older, excess military working dogs by former dog handlers and other qualified people. Even though Toby had a bout with cancer in her lower jaw, she's healthy now and being adopted by her first handler, Tech. Sgt. John Darrah, and his family. Sergeant Darrah, currently a dog trainer with the 89th Security Forces Squadron at Andrews AFB, Md., handled Toby from February 1999 to June 2003, and said handlers always remember their first dog.

"I deployed a lot with her," he said. "She kept me safe and brought me back home every time."

Current handler, Tech. Sgt. Martin Ratkowski, is happy that Toby will have a good home in case the cancer comes back. He handled her for one and a half years.

"We built that bond," Sergeant Ratkowski said. "That's my copartner, my buddy who rides with me."

Sergeant Ratkowski said he organized a formal ceremony to remember the military working dogs because they don't just work for the security forces squadron but for everyone on base. Toby represents them all.

"Toby's service to our country exemplifies the same values we hold in high: esteem, loyalty, courage and perseverance," he said.