The resourceful explosives detection dog Sarbi has returned to Australia after a six-month stint in quarantine in the Middle East.
The plucky dog went missing in action for 14 months in southern Afghanistan in September 2008 and was finally returned to the Australian Army by an American Special Forces soldier in October last year.
Sarbi was involved in the same incident against Taliban fighters in which Special Air Service Trooper Mark Donaldson was awarded the prestigious Victoria Cross, the first Australian to receive the medal since the Vietnam War. Nine of the 12 soldiers involved in the incident were injured, including Sarbi’s handler, Sergeant D*.
After a few months padding around the Australian base at Tarin Kowt, Sarbi was flown to an approved veterinary facility in Dubai where, under Australia’s tough quarantine restrictions, she was forced to spend six months under observation to ensure she hadn’t picked up any diseases before she was allowed to return home with her fellow two-legged Diggers this afternoon.
Sarbi is a member of the EDD Section and a vital military asset, albeit on four legs. She’s also a shot in the arm for morale for troops deployed overseas and has an exceptional talent for retrieving tennis balls.
The loveable hound is a celebrity dog having met former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, retired four star general in the United States Army, Stanley McChrystal (he of the infamous interview in Rolling Stone magazine), Australia’s Governor General and a litany of military brass.
More importantly, though, she has been successful in detecting the deadly roadside bombs known as IEDs – improvised explosive devices – the weapon of choice of Taliban fighters and terrorists in Afghanistan and has saved countless lives and protected coalition forces from life threatening injuries.
According to a statement from the Australian Army, Sarbi will resume operational roles with the Incident Response Regiment – which falls under the Special Operations Command – after she sits out another month in quarantine in Australia.
As with Australia’s other EDDs, Sarbi has already been awarded a medal for her service in Afghanistan – which includes two tours of duty in 2007 and 2008.
I’m sure the hero hound would also want to paws (geddit?) for a moment to show her respect for her five fellow explosives detection dogs who have made the ultimate sacrifice and paid with their lives in Afghanistan.
They are Merlin, Razz, Nova, Herbie and Andy.
Attagirl, Sarbi. Welcome home to our four-legged warrior.
* Sgt D can not be named for operational security reasons.
Lest we forget.
(The photograph of Sarbi was supplied by the Army – shows her on board her flight back to Australia. Love the royal blue carpet.)
