Military Working Dog Left Retires Honorably at Kirtland Air Force Base

Col Jason Vattioni, 377 ABW Commander, (left) replaces Military Working Dog Lefty's military collar with a pink collar alongside her Handler, SSgt Adrienne Dunham (right), during Lefty's retirement ceremony on Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, June 9, 2023. Military working dogs are often a crucial aspect of a base’s mission, and their skillsets can range from drug detection to explosive detection, as well as serving as a non-lethal option for neutralizing threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Brittanie Teston)

Military Working Dog Left Retires Honorably at Kirtland Air Force Base

Col Jason Vattioni, 377th Air Base Wing commander, (left) presents Military Working Dog Lefty and her handler, SSgt Adrienne Dunham, 377th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler (right), with Lefty's Honorable Discharge Certificate during her retirement ceremony on Kirtland Air Fore Base, New Mexico, June 9, 2023. A service member who retires after 20 years of military service will only have committed a quarter of their expected life span to the military. In contrast, a military working dog who serves anywhere from six to nine years will commit half to 75% of their lives in service to the U.S. military. (U.S. Air Force photo by Brittanie Teston)

Military Working Dog Left Retires Honorably at Kirtland Air Force Base

Military Working Dog Lefty Retires Honorably from Kirtland Air Force Base on June 9. 2023 on Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, June 9, 2023. A service member who retires after 20 years of military service will only have committed a quarter of their expected life span to the military. In contrast, a military working dog who serves anywhere from six to nine years will commit half to 75% of their lives in service to the U.S. military. (U.S. Air Force photo by Brittanie Teston)

Military Working Dog Lefty Retires Honorably at Kirtland Air Force Base

Published June 13, 2023
By Brittanie Teston
377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Lefty, Military Working Dog, watches the Kirtland Honor Guard's Presentation of Colors during her Retirement Ceremony on Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, June 9, 2023. MWD's are trained to detect explosives and drugs, perform attacking tactics, patrol bases and deploy overseas along with their handlers.