Parachuting Dogs For Afghanistan

[samoyedman]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/worl...icle7063359.ece

Two members of the Austrian special forces join Nato’s Operation Cold Response, one of Europe’s biggest military exercises, in Narvik, Norway.

Dropping from 10,000ft, they glide in order to land unnoticed. The dogs often carry cameras and are trained to attack anyone carrying a weapon.

“Dogs don’t perceive height difference, so that doesn’t worry them. They’re more likely to be bothered by the roar of the engines, but once we’re on the way down, that doesn’t matter and they just enjoy the view,” said the dog handler. “It’s something he does a lot. He has a much cooler head than most recruits.”

Commandos from 14 countries, including British special forces and Royal Marines, took part in the Nato exercise. The use of dogs in High Altitude High Opening missions was pioneered by America’s Delta Force, which trained the animals to breathe through oxygen masks during the jump.

The SAS has adapted similar techniques and, according to special forces sources, bought a number of American-trained dogs for use in Iraq and Afghanistan. The dogs used by the British are fitted with a head camera, allowing special forces to see inside insurgent compounds, and Kevlar body armour.

As well as reconnaissance, the animals are trained to attack anyone carrying a weapon, although it is claimed that they will not attack those who are unarmed.

Two SAS dogs are reported to have died on raids in Iraq. Thor and Scotty were killed in 2008 when British special forces waged a successful campaign to destroy al-Qaeda’s bombing networks in Baghdad. Both animals are remembered on a stone memorial at the SAS headquarters in Hereford.

[WoofnHoof]

I'm not really a fan of using animals in war situations.

[Robbi]

I have nothing but the upmost respect and gratitude for our service personnel and the brave dogs that do such a crucial job with mine and bomb detection, however I am not sure that I like the idea of dogs being put into combat without their human handlers next to them How are they extracted from danger once they have obtained the video footage.

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

I don't agree with dogs being used in war either.

[Lhok]

I would prefer that the dogs have their handlers and team with them instead of being sent in alone.

I have a lot of respect for the handlers and animals that go into areas that a lot of us would not dare to tread. Some of my father's friends are alive today because of dogs in combat zones both from Vietnam and operation desert storm. I would love to say I don't approve of animals in a war zone but unfortunately humans will always fight over something and will always drag into the conflict dogs either as attack dogs or tracking dogs like the ones that saved my father's friends.

Both dogs that saved my father's friends survived and where given over to the consulate staff when the handlers had to return home. The handlers were upset to be parted with their canine companions but the military couldn't bring them back as far as I know.

--Lhok