Area of Operation Status

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Colleen Lewis
6 years ago
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November 2007 brings us to two years and three month of operation for our Old Dawgs & Pups/K-9 Supply programs.

1 K-9 Supply Program (11/17/07) Hello everyone! Well, it looks like our guys at FOB Warrior and Camp Bucca are doing well and enjoying our support and I think we are going to have a great relationship with our new troops. November 2007 brings us to two years and three month of operation for our Old Dawgs & Pups/K-9 Supply programs. Once again, I d just like to say thank you to all of you that have supported our awesome programs and especially our troops and their canine partners. Area of Operation Status To help you get to know some of our new troops at FOB Warrior I d like to introduce SrA Robin Campos and MWD Badis, deployed from Nellis AFB, Nevada. SrA Robin Campos and MWD Badis As night comes SrA Campos and Badis are ready My first from Robin went like this. First off I would just like to say thank you for everything you do. I was one of the handlers for the demo we did when you folks came down to Nellis last October I was the "Fresh Fish" right out of school. TSgt Tate, TSgt Warren and I went to the party you folks had at your hotel. What a blast that was. Thanks again for everything. Robin is currently paired up with Charlie Blood from the 432 nd SPS, Udorn, Thailand, , and Mike Diercks from the 388 th SPS, Korat RTAB, As you can see I think Badis has an attitude isn t it wonderful?

Blanchford & MWD Urik - Nellis AFB, Nevada, SSgt Rojen Richards & MWD Tanja Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, and SSgt Sanford (Gish) Gschwend & MWD Oren Nellis AFB, Nevada FOB Warrior Iraq November 2007

2 TSgt Jerry Glynn just furnished us with this group photograph of the FOB Warrior handlers. Left to Right: SrA Kimberly Harting & MWD Charlie Langley AFB, Virginia, SrA Robin Campos & MWD Badis Nellis AFB, Nevada, TSgt Bradley Stem & MWD Nemo Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, SSgt Elizabeth Blanchford & MWD Urik - Nellis AFB, Nevada, SSgt Rojen Richards & MWD Tanja Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, and SSgt Sanford (Gish) Gschwend & MWD Oren Nellis AFB, Nevada FOB Warrior Iraq November 2007 Hoses and Nozzles to FOB Warrior On October 24th, the crew was shipped two 50 foot hose and nozzles for kennel sanitation. I m not sure but I think they might be having water fights in the kennel area? No, just kidding, everyone knows that kennel sanitation is a must and especially in a deployed area. But, if the team at Warrior decides to have a water fight we sure would love to have photographs! The order was place, shipped, and arrived in eleven days. FOB Warriors team up with Damascus High School Jim Stastny (Korat 70-71) reports that the program is working very well as our pups at FOB Warrior are exchanging letters and photographs with a group of students from Damascus High School, Damascus, Maryland. From what I hear everyone in the project is having a ball way to go pups and Damascus High School.

Fundraiser for OD&P It is with great pleasure that I would like to announce that the Old Dawgs & Pups program has just received a $2,000.

3 Fundraiser for OD&P It is with great pleasure that I would like to announce that the Old Dawgs & Pups program has just received a $2, donation from the Thailand Dog Handler Group that conducted a Raffle committee that raffled off a collection of USAF Air Police, Security Police and Security Forces badges, shields and memorabilia spanning the entire history of the career field! The Raffle concluded at the VSPA reunion in Washington, D.C., during the 25 th Anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The shadow box included the collection of the following badges valued at approximately $1, Prototype Air Police shield (first design) silver with blue and white enamel Air Force crest Air Police shield Security Police shield New Security Police shield Mini shield Air Police design prototype Retired Commemorative Badge Vietnam Security Police Association Commemorative Badge Air Force Security Police Association Commemorative Badge Security Forces 9/11 Commemorative Badge Security Forces Global War on Terror Commemorative Badge USAF 60th Anniversary Commemorative Badge K-9 Handler Commemorative Badge Set of old style qualification badges Set of new style qualification badges Thanks to donators and committee members on this project: Steve Gattis, Bill Cummings, Ken Neal, John Homa, Phil Carroll, Jim Stastny, Dave Broeker, and Vernon Anderson An additional thank you goes out to Ken Neal, John Homa, Ernest Childers, and all of the other members who worked night and day at the reunion to sell the raffle tickets. The project resulted in a total fundraiser of $4, $2, was also contributed to the Nemo s War Dog Heroes Project. Way to go guys and thank you to all that worked and supported the project.

4 In the works! We re trying something new! After the first of the year we have approximately 4 troops that will be deploying down range. We ve talked with several of them and we re going to attempt to pair them up with our personnel before they leave the states so they you will have some extra time to get to know them. As soon as the Thanksgiving holiday is behind us, I am going to try to pair these four teams up and to get the ball rolling. I will be contacting those of you who are close to their deployed bases or their home towns as soon as I have the information. So far we have four volunteers from two bases. Stand by for more details. Other News concerning OD&P Graduates! TSgt Jon Sarabia takes over as Whiteman AFB Kennel Master Its official TSgt Jonathan Sarabia has been named the Kennel Master at the 509th SFS, Whiteman AFB, Missouri. Jon was my FIRST Pup back in when he was assigned to the 384 th ESFS/Site 41 Bahrain. When he deployed to the 407 th ESFS, Ali Air Base in August of 2005, it jump started our K-9 Supply Program within the Old Dawgs & Pups. Our first month of operation we sent the following to 8 troops (7 Air Force and 1 Army handles) and six MWDs. The original troops were deployed from Langley, Mountain Home, Whiteman, and Seymour Johnson AFBs, and Ft. Hood. Here is what we supplied these troops: 8 sets of grooming supplies (combs, brushes, muzzles, etc.), 4 cooling mats, 8 cooling wraps, 7 sets of thermometers, 8 flood lights, and 8 Guardian Dog cots. The total amount for the supplies was $ Since the original group, led by TSgt Matt Rebholz, and including TSgt Jon Sarabia (then SSgt Sarabia), and SSgt Damon Tripp who have remained in the program during numerous deployments, we have supported nearly one hundred troops and their MWDs. The original group of handlers were supported by 15 Old Dawgs and Friends of K-9. The Leatherman Corporation, via our Leatherman Angel Juli Warner, donated the first Leatherman tools to this group and we re still continuing that corporate relationship to this day. We ve come a long way since August of 2005.

while stationed at the 407 th ESFS, Ali Air Base in August of 2005, has just re-enlisted!

Matt has been supported by Ben Cox, Don Graham, Rick Matott, and Marie Zeak, and Bill

I also had the opportunity to personally meet Matt at Reagan Airport where he was picking

We will also be there to support Matt in his future deployments where ever you go!

Base Matt and Oris at Musel/Camp Diamond Back Bill Cummings and Matt at Maxwell Air Base

5 TSgt Matt Rebholz re-enlists! Our original Old Dawgs and Pups Kennel Master who helped us kick off Old Dawgs & Pups at while stationed at the 407 th ESFS, Ali Air Base in August of 2005, has just re-enlisted! RSgt Matt Rebholz has also been with us while he was deployed at LSA Camp Diamondback. Matt has been supported by Ben Cox, Don Graham, Rick Matott, and Marie Zeak, and Bill Cummings during his deployments. I also had the opportunity to personally meet Matt at Reagan Airport where he was picking up a new dog and at Maxwell AFB, Gunter Annex, while he was attending leadership training. This guy is top shelf all the way. Thanks again Matt for helping us make history with our support program. We will also be there to support Matt in his future deployments where ever you go! Matt with his Leather Surge at Ali Air Base Matt presents Jon Sarabia his Surge at Ali Air Base Matt and Oris at Musel/Camp Diamond Back Bill Cummings and Matt at Maxwell Air Base Matt you are a good man and we owe you so much for your dedication and service to our country. Every one of your troops says the same thing about you He s the leader that I will always follow, he s a dog handler s dog handler. Matt is currently stationed at Langley AFB, Virginia with the 1 st SFS, as their Kennel Master.

6 Colonel John Probst presented with a Leatherman Surge Just a follow up to the article on Colonel John Probst from last month, we are very proud to announce that the Colonel has received his Thailand K-9 Leatherman Surge! I received a call from the Colonel while he was enroute back to Iraq matter of the fact, he was at the Atlanta airport and was about to board his plane when he called to say thank you for all of the support he has received from our Thailand Handlers Group. John was informed that we had shipped a gift to him and that it should follow him shortly upon his return to his Iraq assignment. I received an from him letting us know that his Surge had arrived and that it was one of his most prized possessions and that he would carry it proudly. He also once again wished to thank all of us for the support that we have shown him and all of the troops deployed down range. Way to go Old Dawgs & Pups! A flashback for our Pups Last week over forty of our Vietnam era dog handlers attended the Vietnam Security Police Association reunion in Washington, D.C. One of the sharpest troops there who marched in the Veteran s Day parade and also attended the 25 th Anniversary of the Vietnam Memorial was Ernest Childers, 432 nd Security Police Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Base. We just wanted to show our Pups what we used to look like (less a few pounds and a lot of hair). I present to you Sgt Ernie Childers Ernie, you sure made us proud back in the 70 s and again today. Just don t mess with those Texans!

7 Here s this month s update on the K-9 Supply Program At the time of this report we have 22 members of the Old Dawgs & Pups program actively supporting 11 handlers and a Vet Tech at two kennels. Our K-9 Supply program has been coordinated and funded by the Old Dawgs & Pups. The supporters are members of the VSPA, VDHA, and friends of K-9. A total of 394 pieces of equipment has been delivered to our K-9 troops serving in Iraq from August 21, 2005 to November 15, Over seventy-seven Old Dawgs and Friends have supported over ninety seven K-9 personnel via our program. For additional information on the program please go to: Please review the photos, press releases, and more about our ongoing programs. We have purchased and shipped $5, of supplies for the 17 kennels solely via your personal donations. Including the Leatherman corporate donation, the total is $12,097.00! Please note that this figure does not include all the goodies some of you have sent directly, or which came from other organizations we've been involved with but who shipped their donations independently. WAY TO GO K-9 SUPPLY! * The Leatherman Surge donation is valued at approximately $6, Leatherman Surge Tools (51 Donated by Leatherman) * 60 Thailand Challenge Coins (Donated & Purchased) 57 Guardian Pet Beds 22 Doggles (10 Pairs were donated) 19 VSPA Challenge Coins (Donated & Purchased) 16 Coastal Medium Firm Shedding Blades 16 Classic Long Tooth Undercoat rakes 12 Coastal Large Slickers 12 Heavy Guard Handled Water Pails 8 K9 Bluelight Supplement (2 pound bags) 8 Muzzles 8 Kygen Port-A-Bowls 8 Cooling Wraps 8 PSI Water Holes 8 Cooldanna Cooling Mats 8 Sets of Flood Light Bulbs 7 Digital Thermometers 5 Classic HG Food Dishes 5 Nozzles 4 Kygen 2-In-1 Food/Water Bowls 4 Large Kongs Foot Water Hoses 3 24 Heavy Duty Floor Squeegees 3 20 Heavy Duty Cleaning Brushes 3 12 Heavy Duty Cleaning Brushes 3 5 Heavy Duty Cleaning Brushes 3 Ceremonial K-9 Badges (Memorial) 2 50 Foot Water Hoses 2 Spray Bottles & Sprayers 1 Drink Mixes & Snacks (Large Box)

8 Note: Some of you may receive this twice. I apologize - it s a data base thing!

Area of Operation Status

Area of Operation Status K-9 Supply Program (06/15/08) Hello everyone! Well we have paired up six (6) kennels and twenty-six (26) deployed teams as of June 15, 2008. June 2008 brings us to two years and 10 months of operation