Tactical Explosive Detection Dogs and Handlers Return from Afghanistan

U.S. Army Photo By Spc. Shawn Denham, PAO, 2nd BCT, 101st Abn. Div

Dog Handlers and Tactical Explosive Detection Dogs (TEDDs) with the Strike Brigade returned home to to the US on September 15th as part of the brigade’s final redeployment in Afghanistan. The Dog Handlers and their dogs went out on over 200 missions during their year there their missions successful finding everything from bombs and drugs to missiles and rocket launchers.

It takes 8 weeks of specialized training with the dogs and their handlers before they can leave for assignment after that they are out in the field assiting other units to make sure there aren’t buried explosives, cleaning out areas of weapons, and searching for drugs. The Tactical Explosion Detection Dogs and their handlers deployed to Afghanistan where they escorted combat patrols throughout southern Afghanistan. The dogs sniffed ahead of the main groups, searching for buried items.

Some dogs were trained to find hidden weapons and others where trained to find drugs. Removing the items saves the lives of Soldiers and local civilians as the weapons can’t be used to harm anyone and the drugs can’t be sold domestically or sent overseas.

Soldiers say that having a dog on the battlefield is a morale boost to Soldiers. The soldiers also say that they feel safer knowing the dogs can find hidden explosives so they don’t have to worry as much about setting them off when the dogs are around. Upon returning to Fort Campbell, the handlers had to return the dogs that they had just spent a year living with to Von Liche Kennels, based out of Indiana. The soldiers are sad to see the dogs returned because they all bonded with them and owe them so much for the help they provided and love they showed.