CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
After 10 years of honorable service, Liz, an explosives detection dog with the 437th Security Forces Squadron, retired from active-duty during a ceremony at the Charleston Club June 10.
Not only did members of the 437 SFS and other base Airmen attend the event, but Liz received support from her canine friends from the kennel.
"This is the first one of these I have ever done," said Col. Frank Jones, 437th Mission Support Group commander. "The only problem is that I don't speak canine."
Colonel Jones said Liz asked him to preside over her ceremony and he wanted to honor that request.
Liz began her military service Feb. 24, 1998, and became a fully certified explosives detection dog Sept. 16, 1998, while assigned to Lackland AFB, Texas.
After she arrived at Charleston AFB she was paired with her first handler, Staff Sgt. Toby McKnight. Since then Liz has served and trained with six different handlers.
Liz took the fight to the enemy on a number of occasions. During a deployment to Iraq in 2005 Liz saved an unquantifiable number of Airmen and Soldiers lives. Liz and her handler, Staff Sgt. Catharine Johnson, had come under direct small arms fire and despite the dangerous situation they were in, Liz went on to detect eight 155 mm rockets, which turned out to be hardwired with explosives and detonating charges.
Liz exemplified all three of the Air Force's core values; integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do, said Colonel Jones.
During her career Liz was on duty for 5,932 hours, conducted 2,578 hours of searches and completed 337 hours of training. She has also responded to a bomb threat and supported two air shows.
Liz was also active within the community. She performed more than 250 demonstrations at numerous of schools and visited the Veterans Hospital of Charleston.
When it was time to hand Liz off to her new owner Tech. Sgt. Denis Woods, 315th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Sergeant Johnson removed Liz's harness and Sergeant Woods replaced it with a pink collar.
"Liz has meant a lot to a lot of different people," said Sergeant Woods.
Liz had a few thank you's of her own she wanted to deliver.
"I want to thank Colonel Jones for recognizing my career," said Liz, through her handler, Sergeant Johnson. "I also want to thank everyone for the countless belly rubs."
Although the military working dog mission will continue, Liz won't be forgotten.
"Liz is the epitome of a Team Charleston warrior," said Lt. Col. Seth McKee, 437 SFS commander. "You will be missed and impossible to replace."