BREST, 11 February (BelTA) – For the second day in a row the 38th Independent Guards Air Assault Brigade has been on the highest alert as part of the plan on organizing a snap inspection of combat readiness of the Armed Forces. Units of the special operations command are busy carrying out missions. BelTA reporters went to find out how service dogs ably assist human soldiers.
Rottweiler Graf is almost three years old. His owner serves in the special operations forces. The soldier has trained the dog to perform certain tasks. “He can bring first aid kits and tourniquets. If ammunition runs out, he carries two magazines. At times Graf can help soldiers feel more comfortable, more at home. They play with him and dispel their bad moods,” said the soldier from the 38th brigade.
Graf is going through the army inspection alongside the Brest paratroopers. “He can pick up a trail and lead us along it because the human eye cannot see everything. The dog is capable of detecting illegal substances. He is trained to search for plant-based drugs and gunpowder. If he smells something, he lets me know,” said the soldier. “During the inspection he stays right by our side. He lives and sleeps next to us, can help the stokers, be somewhere on patrol. He doesn’t let strangers near the tent: we always know when someone is coming.”
According to the young man, his fluffy partner cheers up and motivates the servicemen. “He first went with us when he was six months old. He lived with us at the border for two months, carried out combat missions, and trained at the same time,” said the paratrooper.
During the current inspection his unit guards the camp and the battalion headquarters. The soldiers have set up sentries away from the camp and comb through certain areas of the terrain. “Definitely, such snap inspections keep us on our toes, help soldiers stay focused, not lose their skills, and think about which tasks need to be done first and which can be put aside. It also contributes to the development of engineering skills. Because we are constantly in new places and have to overcome obstacles, dig trenches, and set up structures. All of that is beneficial to the military personnel,” the Brest paratrooper is convinced.
BelTA reported earlier that in line with the plan on inspecting the Armed Forces as authorized by the head of state the 38th brigade was brought to the highest state of readiness on 10 February. The units are busy carrying out missions in a complicated tactical environment. The paratroopers will have to demonstrate their shooting skills and physical fitness, show their endurance and strength.
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