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After years of dedicated service, a hero gets his well-deserved send-off! Join us as we celebrate the retirement of Ivan, a courageous military working dog from the 99th Security Forces Squadron.

Ivan's incredible career at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, culminated in a special ceremony on May 23, 2024. This loyal companion has been instrumental in ensuring the safety and security of our forces, embodying the spirit of service and dedication.

Witness the heartwarming tribute to a true patriot. Ivan’s legacy is one of bravery, unwavering loyalty, and countless missions accomplished. Thank you, Ivan, for your exceptional service!

#MilitaryWorkingDog #K9Retirement #AirForce #NellisAFB

(U.S. Air Force video by Airman 1st Class Brianna Vetro)

Category

🐳
Animals
Transcript
00:00I
00:39This is a new journey and those that will care for him, granting them many happy and
00:44peaceful years for the lessons of loyalty, courage, and selflessness that Ivan has taught
00:48us. This we pray for today's event. On behalf of Lieutenant Colonel Andrew York, the commander
00:55of the 99th Security Forces Squadron, and squadron commanders, chiefs, and other distinguished
01:01guests for attention. The men and women of the 99th Security Forces Squadron were like
01:09Duhai Lansong, Staff Sergeant Otero, Staff Sergeant Blankenship, Staff Sergeant Ramos, and Staff
01:19Sergeant Marquise. MWD Senior Herman Nicholas Pence will now read the poem, Guardians of the
01:27Night.
01:29You may be marked by the passing of the seasons. Know that each day at your sight is my reward.
01:37My days are measured by the coming and going of your footsteps. I anticipate them at every
01:43opening of the door. Together you and I shall experience a bond only others like us will be
01:49understand. When outsiders see us together, their envy will be measured by their disdain.
01:55And when our time together is done, and you move on in the world, remember me with kind
02:00thoughts and tales, for a time we were unbeatable.
02:04I think no matter what I say, Ivan's not going to focus on anything other than that damn tennis
02:09ball anyway. But I want to start by, to all our defenders, I want to see things. You know, wearing
02:17a
02:18defender badge in our Air Force specifically. And I don't wear your badge. I want to acknowledge that right now.
02:28You guys have a very distinct club.
02:30I want to be seen before. You know, either by the flyby or by the flyby, or by the flyby.
02:37But for all you guys in Kelty, you've never seen the dance before the patch.
02:41Looks like.
02:42I want to thank all of our defenders.
02:56From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
02:58Thanks for almost borderline adapt.
03:00For our family, every time we see Ivan, and I'll talk at the end, I'll talk a little bit about
03:06him.
03:06And I'll say, you know, on the civilian side, man's best friend.
03:10But I'll tell you, Ivan is one of my quick petters.
03:14Um, military working dogs have been all over the news the last few years. For example,
03:29I've never had a chance to look at it, and it's really neat. So, I'll tell you if you ever
03:33get a chance to get to live.
03:36And then, just specifically about Ivan here, a couple quick stories. Um, I have worked with a lot, so I'm
03:44going to be getting a good tree.
03:46But I'll also give you this. Um, Ivan is a hell of a ham as well. He's got a ton
03:51of personality, in case you didn't notice it in the beginning of this.
03:54Um, and, oh, by the way, he also enjoys his public shows of affection often.
04:00And every time we pull up outside the building over here, I'll tell the bus, hey, stay away from the
04:05dogs, don't pet them, because most of the people just sit there.
04:10And I'll usually be in the back somewhere, um, for Middleton and Ivan.
04:15And I'll tell you, the only picture that I took off was a very distinct selfie of, uh, me and
04:21Ivan, uh, with Eric and Ivan.
04:24Um, so, as I close it out, again, I want to, to all of our Defender Nation, um, I want
04:30to say thanks for honoring me 24-7, 365.
04:34All right, let's get along with the ceremony. Fights on.
04:41Thank you, Colonel Dumont.
04:43Zulu-004 for meritorious service from 8 September, 2019, to 23 May, 2024.
04:50Military working dog Ivan's Zulu-004 period, MWD-Ivan provided explosive protection capabilities as a member of the Air Combat
04:59Command's largest operational military working dog kennel way across the world.
05:05Additionally, MWD-Ivan was critical in supporting 49 United States Secret Service and Department of the State missions.
05:15And it reads, this is to certify that military working dog Ivan, Zulu-004, having served faithfully and honorably, was
05:25retired on the 23rd day of May, 2024, signed by Colonel Joshua D. Dumont, 99th Air Base Wing Commander.
05:35SIREN ADMINISTRATION
05:36SIREN ADMINISTRATION
05:40RUNNING
05:42SIREN ADMINISTRATION
07:20We will always cherish you.
07:23You have been a hero, a protector, and a program.
07:31One, two, three.
07:48This concludes today's ceremony.
07:51Thank you, everyone, for coming.
07:52I ask that you please stand for the singing of the Air Force songs and the departure of the official
07:57party.
08:03Off we go into the wild blue yonder, climbing high into the sun.
08:10Here they come, soon to meet our thunder.
08:14At them now, give them the gun, go down and play.
08:18Hey!
08:19Nothing to stop the U.S. Air Force.
08:52Good evening, one of them.
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