heaven and hell at once

So, anyone who has been kind enough to read my ramblings about my son probably realizes by now that I am just crazy over the kid and fighting the fight of my life between fear and faith.  I have written about a myriad of things to do with his deployment, his childhood, my fears and my pride.  Now it’s time to bring up another really important part of the story—Buck!!

So here’s the story of Buck…as I know it.  Buck is a German Shepherd.  Hunter VOLUNTEERED for this Iraq deployment in June.  In July, he travelled to Indiana to the Vohne Liche Kennels.  Upon his arrival he met Buck– formally known as an Explosive Detection Canine.  He spent one month in the guidance of  the trainers from Vohne Liche.  There he learned tons of information about Buck, what Buck can do and how he can handle Buck and how together they can be a very effective team.  He spent time learning about the following:

Grooming and Health

First Aid/Safety

Explosive Overview

Odor Characteristics 

Contours (Odor Travel)

Leash Control

Explosive Searching

Detection Searches

Buildings

Vehicle

Obedience

He was so excited and when he would call me from school he was always so enthused about the content of the course.  He and Buck spent all their time together and their bond began to form.  I came to love Buck, too, through pictures and hearing Buck stories…..and also knowing that Buck is trained to protect my son and his fellow soldiers at all costs.

In Indiana, Hunter also met the team he is currently in Iraq with.  They also began to form their bond, as well.

From Indiana, after Hunter and Buck’s graduation….the dynamite duo  travelled to Arizona to the Army  portion of the schooling.  While Vohne Liche had been in depth civilian training….the Army then sent him to six more weeks of their curriculum.  He spent lots of time tracking in the desert sand, very practical practice for the terrain in Iraq.  I heard stories of ’sidewinders’ which sounded like pretty hateful little varmints….one of the few we don’t have here in Dixie.  I heard stories of having to spend the nights in the desert alone with all the dogs on a rotation basis and I could also hear in my son’s voice that the bond was really growing—daily—with both the dog and his fellow soldiers. 

Upon the Army’s graduation, Buck was sent to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.  There he was ’sworn in’ to the Army and given his rank.  His rank is E-5.  It is Army policy that the dog will always be one rank higher than his handler.  Cute, hunh?  Now that Buck has become a certified Army Canine, any time Hunter is in a building he must leave his cover (hat) on.  This is the Army’s notification to other soldier’s that an armed soldier has entered the room.  So whether my son has his gun or not, he is still considered armed with Buck.  Again, cool hunh? 

Now, on to the mission of my dynamic duo….as I am told this is a brand new thing…well, sort of…they did it in Vietnam but it hasn’t been used since…..Hunter and Buck will be attached to a Special Forces Unit.  Another duo will be with him as well, they will be assigned in pairs of K9s and Soldiers.  When the Special Forces Unit finds explosives Hunter and Buck will be tracking back to the source of the explosives…..yeah, trust me, I know….it’s a really dangerous mission!  I doubt that the Iraqis that are laying the explosives make it easy to track back to them…….

My only thread of sanity comes from knowing how well trained both he and Buck are and the strong bond between the two–and of course my faith.  Hunter stands 6′3″ and Buck just about 3 foot but Buck weighs in at 160 lbs anyway…..not much less than my Lanky Long Legs son! 

So now, my friends and supporters you know about Buck–a very important part of the story!! Surely you have heard pride, pride and more pride in this installment and also with a bit more info on the mission it’s pretty clear that my fears are not trivial or contrived……next time I think I will write about the rest of the Soldiers that are with him….I have grown to know them and care for them, too….

So, please keep Hunter and Buck in your thoughts and prayers and me, too……

God Bless Hunter and Buck…..

Mama loves 

Trackback URI | Comments RSS