Officials at JBSA-Lackland, Tex., dedicated the first national monument to US military working dog teams. The monument, unveiled on the southeast corner of Lackland’s parade grounds during an Oct. 28 ceremony, features a nine-foot-tall bronze dog handler representing all US military dog handlers who have served since World War II, according to the base’s release. It also features four bronze dogs representing the military’s four prominent working dog breeds since World War II: Belgian Malinois, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, and Labrador Retriever, states the release. “To the working dog members and the dogs in the audience, this is your day. I’m so glad Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland could be the home of this monument,” said Brig. Gen. Bob LaBrutta, the joint base’s commander. Lackland hosts the largest training center in the world for military dogs and handlers. “As a nation, we owe our war dogs a tremendous debt of gratitude,” said John Burnam, a Vietnam War scout dog handler credited with playing a leading role in pushing for this national recognition. (Lackland report by Mike Joseph)
U.S. Air Force F-35s and F-22s regularly deploy deep into the Pacific region from Alaska, Utah, and Hawaii. In the future, though, the head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command would like to see the Air Force permanently station fifth-generation aircraft west of the international date line—closer to China.