Military working dog honored in memorial service

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Reel
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Military working dog Walker was honored for his life and service in a memorial service on Tyndall Jan. 18.

Walker was diagnosed with canine lumbosacral disease, also called lumbosacral stenosis and cauda equina syndrome. The disease is an arthritis that compresses the nerve roots and spinal cord as they pass through the joint between the dog's backbone. Walker's condition worsened and on Jan. 6 he was humanely euthanized. He was almost eight years old and completed more than six years of military service.

On Aug. 31, 2004 Walker was accepted into the Military Working Dog Program and on Sept. 7, he started his first day of patrol training. After five months of training he became a certified patrol dog.

During the same time as his patrol training, Walker was introduced into explosive detection training. He then became a dual certified Patrol and Explosive Military Working Dog, ready to be sent to his first duty station.

"I had the fortunate honor of picking up MWD Walker at Pensacola Airport on March 2, 2005," said Tech. Sgt. John Russum, 325th Security Forces Squadron, noncommissioned officer in charge and kennel master. "The ride from Pensacola to Tyndall was a memorable trip. I got to experience Walker's lovable personality."

Throughout Walker's life here he conducted more than 1,430 hours of search time and more than 267 hours of foot patrols protecting Defense Department resources and personnel. He also assisted the United States Secret Service on fifteen different occasions where he protected the President of the United States and distinguished visitors.

In addition to supporting missions stateside, he also aided in fighting the war on terror. Walker deployed three times to Southeast Asia with three different handlers. During his deployment to Iraq at the end of 2005, he detected two different explosive devices and four weapons caches.

"MWD Walker will never know how many lives he saved, how many homes he protected; all he knew was work, and working was his life," said Sergeant Russum. "Walker, we are forever grateful for all you did for this great nation; you will never be forgotten."