Army Vietnam
Military Working Dogs (MWD’s) were utilized long before the invention of gun powder. The first known force to use MWD’s is the Roman Empire. Many European countries have taken advantage of the canine’s senses since approximately 55 B.C. and continue to do so today.
A recommendation was made by the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I that dogs be used as sentries, messengers, patrol aids, and special supply missions. Upon review, the request was denied by G-3 General Headquarters.
Surprisingly the United States military did not begin an official program for MWD’s until 1942. The first military dogs were used to assist soldiers with guard duty. On July 1, 1942 the first large request for MWD’s came from Camp Hale in Colorado. Over 100 dogs were requested to be used as messenger, sledge, and scent dogs.
Once the United States joined the ranks of countries utilizing Military Working Dogs, the program exploded. The first MWD reception and training center was opened in Front Royal, Virginia in August 1942. By July 1943 more than 10,000 dogs had been procured by the U.S. military. During the early stages of the MWD program the military had a list of more than 23 acceptable breeds.
At the start of the Korean War the Military Working Dog program had been reduced from six platoons down to one. The remaining platoon consisted of a commanding officer, platoon sergeant, veterinarian, eighteen handlers and 27 dogs. In May 1951 the first squad of the remaining MWD platoon left for Korea with the rest arriving in January 1952.
During the Korean Conflict the MWD program was greatly expanded in usefulness and numbers. By the end of the war the dogs were performing the duties of sentry dog and scout dog.
The largest concentrated effort of use of dogs and handlers during any time of war for the United States was during the Vietnam War. Now being used by all four branches of the U.S. military, at least 3,747 dogs served in Vietnam.
Air Force sentry dog teams were sent to Vietnam first in July 1965 to determine how the dogs would tolerate the tropical conditions. The first deployment consisted of 40 handlers and 40 dogs sent from Lackland AFB for a 120-day temporary duty. The MWD’s adjusted well to the climate staying for the duration of the war as a valuable asset. The teams of handlers and dogs are credited with saving over 10,000 lives.
In August 1990 the Military Working Dogs were once again called to duty. The United States military deployed 118 MWD teams who would serve during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
Military Working Dogs and their handlers continue to serve our country today within the borders of the United States as well as countries throughout the world. The deployments include combat as well as routine military duty.
Since 1999 the preferred breeds that are trained as Military Working Dogs are the German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, Dutch Shepherd, and Retrievers. Each dog is trained to perform the duties that best match the strengths of the breed. For approximately 66 years MWD’s have been trained to serve in one or more of the following classifications: Sentry Dog, Attack Dog, Tactical Dog, Silent Scout Dog, Messenger Dog, Casualty Dog, Sledge Dog, or Pack Dog.
On November 6, 2000 the 106th United States Congress approved Resolution H.R. 5314 which authorized the promotion of adoption of retired Military Working Dogs. The resolution outlines the following specifics of the adoption process: a) Availability for Adoption; b) Suitability for Adoption; e) Authorized Recipients; d) Consideration; and e) Limitations of Liability for Transferred Dogs.
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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Faithful, Devoted, Cherished
VIET ★ NAM MILITARY 2009 – VIETNAMESE PEOPLE’S ARMY (VPA)
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