DOD's longest-serving working dog retires

U.S. Air Force Maj. Ryan Bodge, 366th Security Forces Squadron commander, pins a Commendation Medal on retired military working dog Tanja while the canine’s last handler, Tech. Sgt. Roseann Kelly, looks on at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Jan. 31, 2013. Tanja, a detection and patrol dog, retired after more than 11 years of service and five deployments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Sutton)

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DOD's longest-serving working dog retires

U.S. Air Force Maj. Ryan Bodge, 366th Security Forces Squadron commander, stands with Tech. Sgt. Roaseann Kelly, 366th SFS assistant flight chief, and retired military working dog Tanja during the canine’s retirement ceremony Jan. 31, 2013, at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. Tanja served as a detection and patrol dog and has deployed from MHAFB five times. After working with six different Defender handlers, she has found a home with her last handler, Sergeant Kelly. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Sutton)

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DOD's longest-serving working dog retires

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Scott Menadue, 366th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, feeds retired MWD Tanja a piece of steak while Tech. Sgt. Roseann Kelly, 366th Security Forces Squadron assistant flight chief, looks on during Tanja’s retirement ceremony Jan. 31, 2013, at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. The Belgian Malinois retired after more than 11 years of service and five deployments. Kelly, who was Tanja’s last handler, adopted the canine upon her retirement. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Sutton)

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DOD's longest-serving working dog retires

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Roseann Kelly, 366th Security Forces Squadron assistant flight chief, pets military working dog (ret) Tanja during the MWD’s retirement ceremony at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Jan. 31, 2013. Sergeant Kelly was the last handler and now proud owner of Tanja. The first recorded use of canines goes back as far as the early Romans, where dogs were used against opposing armies by dipping their spiked collars in poison and turning them loose. Today, these Military Working Dogs are trained to detect explosives, narcotics and even people. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Sutton)

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Photo: Tanja honored by fellow Defenders

Published Jan. 31, 2013

DOD's longest-serving working dog retires

DOD's longest-serving working dog retires

DOD's longest-serving working dog retires

DOD's longest-serving working dog retires