Modern War Heroes

In Afghanistan, the US Marines has been employing a different kind of soldier. This soldier is a little shorter and a lot hairier than your average Marine.

Labradors, a popular hunting dog, have been a vital addition to foot teams patrolling in the dangerous south Afghanistan terrain. When they are just puppies, the dogs are selected and trained to “detect five kinds of threat, from military grade C-4 plastic explosive to common chemicals used by the Taliban to make improvised explosive devices (IEDs)”.  This training has proven invaluable and has saved countless lives.

“They are 98 percent accurate. We trust these dogs more than metal detectors and mine sweepers,” says handler Corporal Andrew Guzman.

Since Labradors were originally bred  for use as hunting dogs, their incredible sense of smell is well-tuned to environmental scents. The breed has also proven to be an eager student and is easy to train.

Of course, as anyone who has met a Labrador knows, the dogs are incredibly easy-going and friendly. They have provided much needed companionship, and a break from the daily life in hostile territory,  to the homesick soldiers. The soldiers are able to blow off steam playing with the dogs. Many have even requested to adopt the dogs after their tours are over.

As the use of IEDs by the Taliban goes up, so will the numbers of war dogs. Currently there are nearly 70 dogs working in the southern parts of Afghanistan alone, with more around the country. More of these valuable additions to our troops will be deployed in the coming months.

For more on the “dogs of war”, click here to read an article from Yahoo! News.