Our nation's best friends

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Aubrey White
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Three furry members of Team Seymour were honored during a ceremony here, Oct. 26.
After serving more than a decade each in the U.S. Air Force, each military working dog was honorably retired.

The careers of MWDs Carlos, Frisco and Ralph were highlighted in front of base commanders, fellow 4th Security Forces Squadron patrolmen and admiring Airmen and children during an hour-long ceremony.

Col. Jeannie Leavitt, 4th Fighter Wing commander, provided guests with opening remarks, to include a brief synopsis of the history of MWDs.

"For more than eight decades, MWDs have played an integral role in the defense of American servicemen and the accomplishment of the mission," Leavitt said. "Often going where no man or woman can go, and using skills and abilities that humans do not possess, MWDs have provided vital (explosives) and narcotics detection that have ultimately saved countless lives."

Upon retirement, the dogs are provided the same respect as their active duty counterparts.

Maj. Troy Jones, 4th SFS commander, presided over the ceremony and had much to say about each dog and what they've done for Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.

"Frisco, a patrol explosives detective dog, is also known as the 'attention-getter' and loves folks," Jones said. "Carlos, also a patrol explosives detective dog, ensured no explosive ordnance devices have ever made it onto the installation, and Ralph was the only narcotics detective dog at Seymour Johnson."

According to Jones, they were responsible for locating multiple improvised explosive devices, thousands of rounds of ammunition, numerous rocket-propelled grenades and providing narcotics sweeps of more than 100 tons of cargo.

Tech. Sgt. Andrew Rounds, 4th SFS MWD handler, recited the MWD creed, then each of the dogs' leashes was ceremoniously passed to their new owner.

"Ralph is an amazing dog and we are trying to give him the best life possible because he may not have much time left," said Staff Sgt. Stevi Makripodis, 4th SFS patrolman, and wife of Staff Sgt. John Makripodis, 4th SFS MWD handler. "He's great with our children and was able to experience his first time trick-or-treating this Halloween."