Military Working Dog

Col. Richard DeMouy, center, commander of Kirtland’s 377th Security Forces Group, presides over the retirement ceremony for military working dogs Dan and Joeri. DeMouy is flanked by dog handlers Staff Sgt. John Starcher (left), 377th Weapons System Security Squadron, and Staff Sgt. William Hollendonner, 377th SFG. (Photo by Dennis Carlson)

Four-legged Airmen retire, find new homes

Published Aug. 28, 2014
By Ryan Stark
Nucleus staff writer

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Two military working dogs that received retirement honors on Monday were accorded much the same testimony, certificates and applause as two-legged Airmen.

Military working dogs N689 and P357 -- better known as Dan and Joeri, respectively -- received honors from President Obama, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh III, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody and 377th Air Base Wing Commander Col. Tom Miller. The dogs were also adopted into new homes.

Both German shepherds, 377th Security Forces Group commander, Col. Richard DeMouy said it is always sad to lose dogs because they are considered to be fellow Airmen and "family members."

"They go in, day in, day out, and perform their mission sets," DeMouy said. "And they ask nothing in return."

The dogs performed combat work as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, a Secret Service detail in the 2012 presidential elections, nuclear airlift missions and more.

Dan, age 6, did 66 combat missions, sniffing out improvised explosive devices, rockets, enemy ammunition stores, among other tasks. He is also credited with thwarting a Taliban ambush in Afghanistan and saving many lives, including that of Tech Sgt. Daniel Wilson.

Wilson is the non-commissioned officer in charge of the 377th SFS's military working dog section. He and his family adopted Dan. It is the least he can do for an Airman that saved his life, Wilson said.

Joeri, age 5, served 350 hours in Kuwait while supporting operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. She participated in 14 military working dog demonstrations for the Air Force.

Joeri was adopted by a family in Florida, a destination which DeMouy jokingly said signifies "true retirement."

The ceremony was attended by Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center commander Maj. Gen. Sandra Finan, Miller, DeMouy, Command Chief Master Sgt. John Dougherty, police dog officers of the Albuquerque Police Department and many others.