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Honoring our four legged friends

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Michael Means
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs --  They might walk on four legs, but they are Airmen nonetheless. Military working dogs Dakota and Golf were officially retired from duty in a ceremony at the kennel July 10.

"These wonderful dogs can now have a well-deserved retirement with a loving family," said Maj. Garon Shelton, 92nd Security Forces Squadron commander. "In retirement, our noble military working dogs merit the same quality of love and respect they received during their honorable years of service."

Dakota, a 10-year-old Belgian malinois, served at Fairchild for eight years as an explosive detection dog. Golf, an 11-year-old German shepherd, served here for nine years as a narcotics detection dog.

During their time in the Air Force, the dogs accomplished a long list of achievements. Dakota deployed six times, as well as provided support for multiple missions with the U.S. Secret Service, coalition and multinational forces. Golf deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, as well as provided support to the United States Customs and Border Protection at Spokane International Airport.

The MWD team trains and deploys dogs to assist military operations in all areas, from sniffing out improvised explosive devices to finding illegal drugs.

All MWDs in use today are paired with a dog handler. The two will typically work together for at least a year and sometimes longer.

When the time to part comes, it's hard on both the dog and the handler. Staff Sgt. Jose Cadena, 92nd SFS MWD handler, took the retirement as an opportunity to take Dakota home. Dakota and Cadena have deployed with each other twice and have built a strong bond during their time together.

"We train together, we deploy together and we rely on these dogs to keep us safe," Cadena said. "Dakota is family to me and I'm happy to take her home with me."