The leading IED (Improvised explosive devices) detective is not your ordinary Army general, instead, it is a Springer Spaniel mix breed that has broken the record for discovering weapons and bombs in Afghanistan.
Only 22 months old, making him also the youngest member of the Army, Theo is making it hard for the enemies in the Helmand Province after discovering 14 different weapons and IEDs over the last five months.
Theo is a member of the TMWDSU (Theatre Military Working Dogs Support Unit) that is led by handler Lance Corporal Liam Tasker and run out of Camp Bastion.
This is Theo’s first tour in Afghanistan that for the dogs usually will last for six months before he can head home on break to the Rutland MoD North Luffenham. However, due to his great success rate his tour will last longer.
L/Cpl Tasker applauded Theo for being the “front” man of the patrol.
Speaking to Forces Broadcaster BFBS he said: “I love my job and working together with Theo. He has a great character and never tires. He can’t wait to get out and do his job and will stop at nothing.”
Before going to Afghanistan Theo had to undergo a rigorous period of training to ensure he would meet the highest standards expected of the dogs in the TMWDSU. The first stage was 16 weeks’ basic training and assessment before being given to a handler.
Theo and L/Cpl Tasker then spent 15 weeks on a handler’s course, where man and dog learn to work as a team.
The soldier initially joined the Army as a mechanic and spent six years with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
He did not know the TMWDSU existed until a friend showed him some videos of the dogs in action, when he decided to switch jobs and has not regretted it for a second, he said.
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