Squadron dedicates kennel in memory of fallen Airmen

Published Nov. 14, 2006
By Crystal Toenjes
72nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Base officials, family members and friends gathered here Nov. 7 to remember a fallen noncommissioned officer and participate in a dedication ceremony.

The Tech. Sgt. Jason Norton Military Working Dog Facility was dedicated in the base's security forces complex, a tribute to Sergeant Norton. He was killed Jan. 22 while deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device while conducting convoy escort duties near Taji, Iraq.

About 25 members and friends traveled from Florida and other states to attend the ceremony at Tinker AFB, where Sergeant Norton had been assigned from March 1994 to April 1998. Among the attendees were his wife, Cristina, and their children, Rebecca and Dalton, and his parents, Bert and Carolyn Norton. Sergeant Norton's in-laws, brother, sister and other extended family members also attended.

During the ceremony, the 72nd Air Base Wing and Tinker installation commander, Col. Mark Correll, said Sergeant Norton embodied the core values of the Air Force.

"I challenge you to remember his integrity, his service and his excellence in all he did," Colonel Correll said.

The dedicated facility, building 1089, is the expanded and refurbished kennel which houses Tinker's military working dogs. The new facility is twice the size of the old kennels. This allows security forces officials to increase the number of assigned dogs at Tinker AFB.

Besides larger living quarters to accommodate more dogs, the new kennels also have a new heating ventilation and air conditional system for better air quality. A new wash bay with adjustable water temperature ensures no more cold showers for the dogs.

According to Col. Dean Jackson, 72nd Mission Support Group commander, the term "military working dog" recognizes the diverse roles the special dogs perform

"From searching out explosives or drugs, to going on patrols to perhaps give us that split second of warning of an impending attack, to serving as ever vigilant sentries guarding sensitive facilities or equipment," he said. "These loyal warriors have served with distinction and unquestioning loyalty."

"Sergeant Norton was a proud member of our K-9 team; a team of professionals who work with these four-footed friends and carry on a tradition that spans recorded history," Colonel Jackson continued. "These dogs are more than pieces of equipment as Jason very well knew. They are our friends, our companions and, in some cases, adopted members of our family."

"I get the honor today to recognize Jason as the man, the son, the husband, the father, the friend, the Airmen who served with us on this great Earth," said Lt. Col. Max Dubroff, 72nd Security Forces Squadron commander.

In talking with some of his co-workers and supervisors, Lt. Col. Max Dubroff, 72nd Security Forces Squadron commander, said he learned the job Sergeant Norton was most proud of during his entire career and his entire life was being a military working dog handler and trainer.

"Sergeant Norton knew how great of a job he had and everybody around him knew how great of a job he was doing," Colonel Dubroff said. "He was a natural leader who worked hard at being an effective leader."

Colonel Dubroff said that through the dedication of the building, the memory of Sergeant Norton will live on in the hearts of many who will recognize how important he was to all of them.

Sergeant Norton and fellow NCO Staff Sgt. Brian McElroy, who was in the same vehicle and also died, were assigned to the 3rd Security Forces Squadron at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.