Australian dog found after a year MIA in Afghan

Auzzzie · 11-11-2009, 07:27 PM

DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE

MSPA 386/09 Thursday, 12 November 2009

AUSTRALIAN DOG RETURNS HOME AFTER A YEAR IN THE AFGHAN WILDERNESS

An Australian Special Forces Explosive Detection Dog has been found alive and well almost fourteen months after going missing in action (MIA) in Afghanistan. “Sabi” was recovered by a US Soldier at an isolated patrol base in north-eastern Oruzgan last week.

The black Labrador was trained to counter the threat posed by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Oruzgan province.

Sabi was declared MIA in September 2008 during the same battle with the Taliban in which SAS Trooper Mark Donaldson won his Victoria Cross. Sabi was present with her handler when their combined Australian, US and Afghan National Army convoy was ambushed by a numerically superior, well-sited and prepared insurgent force. Nine Australian soldiers, including Sabi’s handler, were wounded during the engagement.

The US soldier who recovered her and who can be identified only by his first name, John, was aware his Australian Special Forces mates were missing one of their explosive detection dogs.

He said it was immediately obvious that Sabi was no ordinary canine. “I took the dog and gave it some commands it understood.”

John thanked the man who was with Sabi and shook his hand.

Sabi spent more than a year in the desolate south of Afghanistan. Repeated attempts were made by the Special Operations Task Group to discover Sabi’s fate. Sabi was flown to Tarin Kowt to be reunited with one of her Australian Special Forces trainers.

The Australian trainer knew instantly it was Sabi.

“I nudged a tennis ball to her with my foot and she took it straight away. It’s a game we used to play over and over during her training,” the trainer said. “It’s amazing, just incredible, to have her back.”

Currently in the United Kingdom after meeting Her Majesty the Queen, Trooper Mark Donaldson said Sabi’s return closed a chapter of their shared history.

“She’s the last piece of the puzzle,” Trooper Donaldson said. “Having Sabi back gives some closure for the handler and the rest of us that served with her in 2008. It’s a fantastic morale booster for the guys.”

At the time of her disappearance Sabi was coming to the end of her second tour of duty in Afghanistan, having previously deployed to Oruzgan in 2007.

Sabi had also deployed with the Incident Response Regiment during the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006.

Sabi will now undergo a period of quarantine before a decision can be made about the timing of her return to Australia. A veterinary assessment of Sabi’s exposure to diseases has yet to be completed. It is hoped the tests will prove negative and Sabi can return to Australia.

Media note:

Imagery is available at: http://www.defence.gov.au/opEx/globa...1112/index.htm

Vision of Sabi will be fed to networks at Parliament House at 8:45.

Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: 02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664

Casca · 11-11-2009, 07:35 PM

It's nice to see some really good news like this . Well done to all involved.

Albatross · 11-11-2009, 07:36 PM

thats awesome, and truly amazing that somehow she found her way back. I am willing to bet those were a rough 14 months.

rgjbloke · 11-11-2009, 07:43 PM

Amazing story. The dog should get a medal!

Linedoggie · 11-11-2009, 07:46 PM

The Afghan who was with her deserves a reward as well.

willytee · 11-11-2009, 07:48 PM

Thanks for the article. Honestly, what a great story. Who would have thought they would have recovered the dog. Simply amazing if you ask me.

zad · 11-11-2009, 08:32 PM

I guess Sabi kept now the australian record on SERE.

Antimatty · 11-11-2009, 09:12 PM

"homeward bound"

Red_Fern · 11-11-2009, 09:16 PM

Always happy to hear a story like this. Interesting read, good post.

Goldfishsoldier · 11-11-2009, 10:05 PM

I'd like to know what she survived on during her time in the wilderness.

digrar · 11-11-2009, 10:10 PM

Sounds like she was adopted by a local.

Sootan · 11-11-2009, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linedoggie

The Afghan who was with her deserves a reward as well.

It's fair to at least give him whatever amount it cost to care for an army dog for a year.

ego docui history · 11-11-2009, 11:08 PM

Even Aussies dogs are full of awesomeness. I agree that the gentleman that returned the dog should get a reward even though I don't think they will be able to reuse her until a good bit of retraining.
I got to see a demo at the Nimitz museum of the US Army EOD dogs. Impressive animals but incredibly highly and constantly trained.

LazerLordz · 11-11-2009, 11:11 PM

She looks in pretty good shape. It's fortunate she found someone who took care of her. Kudos to the Afghan too

Sootan · 11-11-2009, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LazerLordz

She looks in pretty good shape. It's fortunate she found someone who took care of her. Kudos to the Afghan too

The Afghan man must be heartbroken now....

11-11-2009, 07:27 PM	#1
Auzzzie grunt Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Australia's arsehole... Age: 21 Posts: 11,071	Australian dog found after a year MIA in Afghan DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE MSPA 386/09 Thursday, 12 November 2009 AUSTRALIAN DOG RETURNS HOME AFTER A YEAR IN THE AFGHAN WILDERNESS An Australian Special Forces Explosive Detection Dog has been found alive and well almost fourteen months after going missing in action (MIA) in Afghanistan. “Sabi” was recovered by a US Soldier at an isolated patrol base in north-eastern Oruzgan last week. The black Labrador was trained to counter the threat posed by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Oruzgan province. Sabi was declared MIA in September 2008 during the same battle with the Taliban in which SAS Trooper Mark Donaldson won his Victoria Cross. Sabi was present with her handler when their combined Australian, US and Afghan National Army convoy was ambushed by a numerically superior, well-sited and prepared insurgent force. Nine Australian soldiers, including Sabi’s handler, were wounded during the engagement. The US soldier who recovered her and who can be identified only by his first name, John, was aware his Australian Special Forces mates were missing one of their explosive detection dogs. He said it was immediately obvious that Sabi was no ordinary canine. “I took the dog and gave it some commands it understood.” John thanked the man who was with Sabi and shook his hand. Sabi spent more than a year in the desolate south of Afghanistan. Repeated attempts were made by the Special Operations Task Group to discover Sabi’s fate. Sabi was flown to Tarin Kowt to be reunited with one of her Australian Special Forces trainers. The Australian trainer knew instantly it was Sabi. “I nudged a tennis ball to her with my foot and she took it straight away. It’s a game we used to play over and over during her training,” the trainer said. “It’s amazing, just incredible, to have her back.” Currently in the United Kingdom after meeting Her Majesty the Queen, Trooper Mark Donaldson said Sabi’s return closed a chapter of their shared history. “She’s the last piece of the puzzle,” Trooper Donaldson said. “Having Sabi back gives some closure for the handler and the rest of us that served with her in 2008. It’s a fantastic morale booster for the guys.” At the time of her disappearance Sabi was coming to the end of her second tour of duty in Afghanistan, having previously deployed to Oruzgan in 2007. Sabi had also deployed with the Incident Response Regiment during the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006. Sabi will now undergo a period of quarantine before a decision can be made about the timing of her return to Australia. A veterinary assessment of Sabi’s exposure to diseases has yet to be completed. It is hoped the tests will prove negative and Sabi can return to Australia. Media note: Imagery is available at: http://www.defence.gov.au/opEx/globa...1112/index.htm Vision of Sabi will be fed to networks at Parliament House at 8:45. Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: 02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664

11-11-2009, 07:35 PM	#2
Casca Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 84	It's nice to see some really good news like this . Well done to all involved.

11-11-2009, 07:36 PM	#3
Albatross Retard number 1 AKA; Representative of Scumbags Join Date: May 2007 Location: I never saw a wild thing feel sorry for itself Age: 32 Posts: 9,535	thats awesome, and truly amazing that somehow she found her way back. I am willing to bet those were a rough 14 months.

11-11-2009, 07:43 PM	#4
rgjbloke Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: West London Posts: 1,047	Amazing story. The dog should get a medal!

11-11-2009, 07:46 PM	#5
Linedoggie If anyone needs a damn fool, i'm your man Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Escaping from New York Posts: 6,669	The Afghan who was with her deserves a reward as well.

11-11-2009, 07:48 PM	#6
willytee Whats a zune? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Kansas Age: 23 Posts: 1,236	Thanks for the article. Honestly, what a great story. Who would have thought they would have recovered the dog. Simply amazing if you ask me.

11-11-2009, 08:32 PM	#7
zad Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 923	I guess Sabi kept now the australian record on SERE.

11-11-2009, 09:12 PM	#8
Antimatty Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Organ Donor Age: 22 Posts: 919	"homeward bound"

11-11-2009, 09:16 PM	#9
Red_Fern Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Within walking distance of the pub Posts: 2,095	Always happy to hear a story like this. Interesting read, good post.

11-11-2009, 10:05 PM	#10
Goldfishsoldier Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Brisvegas Age: 20 Posts: 148	I'd like to know what she survived on during her time in the wilderness.

11-11-2009, 10:10 PM	#11
digrar "Wise and Grumpy" Ban Stick Wielder of Death Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: "I'll tell you what pressure is. Pressure is a Messerschmitt up your arse. Playing cricket is not." Age: 32 Posts: 13,179	Sounds like she was adopted by a local.

11-11-2009, 11:08 PM	#13
ego docui history Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 79	Even Aussies dogs are full of awesomeness. I agree that the gentleman that returned the dog should get a reward even though I don't think they will be able to reuse her until a good bit of retraining. I got to see a demo at the Nimitz museum of the US Army EOD dogs. Impressive animals but incredibly highly and constantly trained.

11-11-2009, 11:11 PM	#14
LazerLordz Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Singapore/Australia Posts: 1,806	She looks in pretty good shape. It's fortunate she found someone who took care of her. Kudos to the Afghan too