Afghanistan Soldiers Mourn ‘andy’

[Apfsds-t]

Australian soldiers serving in southern Afghanistan are mourning the death of Explosive Detection Dog ‘Andy’ – a two-year-old Kelpie-cross.

‘Andy,’ a member of the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG), was accidentally killed when struck by a vehicle within the Kamp Holland complex at Tarin Kowt.

‘Andy’ will be laid to rest near the Kamp Holland kennel complex alongside fellow fallen Explosive Detection Dogs ‘Merlin’ and ‘Razz’.

Defence Spokesperson Brigadier Andrew Nikolić said ‘Andy’ was a recently qualified Explosive Detection Dog who finalised his training earlier this year.

“Andy is the third Army Explosive Detection Dog to die on operations.

“His death will be keenly felt by the soldiers in Oruzgan Province and the wider Royal Australian Engineers, particularly their specialist dog handlers.”

Explosive Detection Dogs are used in a specialist search capacity to counter the threat of improvised explosive devices throughout Oruzgan Province.

The ADF retains an Explosive Detection Dog capability within the Reconstruction Task Force.

Source: http://www.defence.gov.au/media/Department...?CurrentId=7277

Australian Army Explosive Detection Dog 'Andy' rests between tasks in Afghanistan earlier this month.

Edited November 25, 2007 by Apfsds-t

[fifi]

RIP Andy, another good reason to bring our troops home - both human & K9, from a senselss conflict.

fifi

Edited November 25, 2007 by fifi

[mita]

A true hero dog....& a very handsome one, too. Sounds like he was much admired, respected & loved by his human military colleagues.

[dogdogdog]

Fly free Andy

[Coolibah Coolies]

Poor Andy and his mates RIP and please dont hate all people for your senseless deaths You had no choice whether to go to a filthy war you should of been home in Aus working sheep

[luvabull]

Run free Andy

RIP

[Daisy]

Waiting for confirmation, but it is highly possible that Andy was an ex-rescue dog fostered by a DOLer, who is undertandably devastated. RIP Andy

[percyk]

handsome clever dog

caught up in a whirlwind of something only humans create

wasted life

[Muttaburra]

So sorry to hear of the Loss of Andy in such a tragic accident. The Company will be missing him terribly right now and I offer my sincere condolences.

[I_LOVE_MY_TERRIERS]

Just thought we could keep on remembering Andy with another photo.

Explosive Detection Dog 'Andy' takes a break during his initial qualification training at the School of Military Engineering in April 2007.

[Becky in Oz]

Poor Andy, RIP dear mate.

I can understand why soldiers would get attached to dogs in war/the services. Dogs bring out humanity even in the worst of situations and tend to normalise what sometimes is clouded by abnormal circumstances. The dogs would serve as a reminder of the soldiers being human first and foremost in most situations.