Columbus bids farewell to MWD Rex

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Beaux Hebert
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE, Miss. --   After five years, or 37 dog years of Active Duty military service, Military Working Dog Rex retired May 17, 2017, at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi
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The ceremony began with the singing of the national anthem and a prayer by Chaplain (Maj.) Bradley Kimble, who before becoming a minister was a canine officer.

Maj. Shawn Redmond, 14th Security Force Squadron Commander, officiated the ceremony and took the time to recognize all the commanders and chiefs in attendance as well as Rex’s friends and wingmen.

Redmond talked on how anytime the local community needed dog support Rex was there.

“Rex was a great advocate for Team BLAZE,” Redmond said. “How great was Rex at his job? Better than I am at mine.”

He then told the room on how Rex’s last recertification went. A MWD has to be retested to ensure that they can still complete the mission. Rex’s last recertification involved sniffing out a bag of marijuana in a warehouse. Not only did he find where the drugs were stashed, he opened the desk drawer, stuck his nose in it and pulled out the bag.

Redmond recognized the rest of the MWDs and handlers and explained how important their job is. He gave an example of Tech. Sgt. Stefanowicz, 14th SFS Kennel Master and MWD Nnora who cleared an area in an undisclosed location for Secretary of Defense James Mattis.

After Redmond’s speech, Staff Sgts. Derek Mortensen and Jimmy Juarez Andrade, 14th SFS MWD handlers, read “Guardians of the Night”, a poem about MWDs and their handlers.

Following the poem, Col. Douglas Gosney, 14th Flying Training Wing Commander, was asked to give Rex his last bone as a MWD.

“This is a great honor to present Rex with his last bone,” said Gosney. “This will be a career highlight for me.”

Rex has been adopted by his last handler Senior Airman Kyle Jacobs, 14th SFS MWD handler. Although Rex is retired, Jacobs said that he still tests him by hiding his Kong toy around the house and challenging him to find it. Jacobs also said that Rex has a few health problems but he plans on making sure that Rex enjoys his retirement.