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Tinker canine dies while on patrol in Iraq

  • Published
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The 72nd Security Forces Squadron's military working dog section lost one of its own Jan. 19 when Marco, a 7-year-old Belgian Malinois, was killed in action while on patrol in Baghdad, Iraq.

The 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, 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 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, "a small child with four legs, 42 teeth and hair.

"He would be running around playing one minute and fast asleep the next," she said. "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 this his third tour in Iraq, Marco assisted his handler and the U.S. 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, noncommissioned officer in charge of the military working dog section.

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

(Courtesy of the 72nd Security Forces Squadron)