Tinker canine dies while on patrol in Iraq

  • Published
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. (AFNEWS) --  A 72nd Security Forces Squadron military working dog was killed in action Jan. 19 while on patrol in Baghdad, Iraq.

Marco, a 7-year-old Belgian Malinois, an explosive detector and patrol dog, suffered acute cardio respiratory arrest secondary to electrocution after coming in contact with a metal object.

Marco and his handler, Staff Sgt. Alissa Jones from Tinker AFB, were part of a team looking for weapons caches, explosives and materials used to make improvised explosive devices. Sergeant Jones was not injured.

They were attached to the Army's 2nd Brigade Combat Team, working in support of C-5/20th Infantry in Baghdad.

Sergeant Jones described Marco as a free-spirited, loving companion and partner.

"He would be running around playing one minute and fast asleep the next," she said. Marco was "a small child with four legs, 42 teeth and hair. He was the kind of partner that would love and nurture, but the minute he or someone around him was threatened, it was all business."

During his third tour in Iraq, Marco assisted his handler and the Army in locating numerous finds, allowing coalition forces to seize and destroy potentially deadly materials.

"Marco's death is a great loss to our kennels and he will be missed," said Tech. Sgt. Joel Seal, NCO in charge of the military working dog section.

Marco was cremated and Sergeant Jones will escort his ashes to Tinker AFB. Memorial arrangements are pending.

(Courtesy of the 72nd Security Forces Squadron)

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