stricted to several areas. Obviously, dismounted 

 mine and tunnel dog teams couldn't keep up with 

 tracked vehicles during rapid movement or in 

 many offensive situations. 



116. The Offense 



If mine and tunnel dog teams are employed with 

 mechanized infantry in offensive operations, they 

 will normally ride in or on the vehicles, as dic- 

 tated, and may be effectively employed in one or 

 more of the following roles : 



a. The mine and tunnel dog team and its secur- 

 ity element may dismount to check suspicious 

 areas or obstacles, especially where there is dan- 

 ger of mines. 



b. Mine and tunnel dog teams may work dis- 

 mounted for short periods where natural man- 

 made obstacles, weather, or terrain restrict for- 

 ward speed to a minimum. 



c. When confronted by a river or stream, and 

 the tactical situation permits, the dog can be di- 

 rected to the far side to check for mines or booby- 

 traps. 



117. Employment of Mine and Tunnel Dog 

 Teams With Airmobile Units 



Experience has shown that mine and tunnel dogs 

 can effectively be employed with airmobile in- 

 fantry in most airmobile operations. 



a. Transportation by Helicopter. Whether on 

 an operation or when being transported by heli- 

 copter, there are a number of rules which the 

 handler must follows : 



(1) The mine and tunnel dog must first be 

 accustomed to riding in ground vehicles. 



(2) Dogs must be muzzled prior to entering 

 the aircraft. 



(3) If more than one team is on an air- 

 craft, they should be separated as much as pos- 

 sible. 



(4) Dogs should sit between and/or behind 

 the handler's legs (fig 57). During movement, the 

 dogs should be encouraged to lie down. 



(5) Dog teams should board the aircraft 

 last and exit first. 



(6) Although the dogs may have to be 

 helped aboard at first, most dogs are soon able 

 to jump on and off by themselves. Although most 

 dogs enjoy riding helicopters, some may become 

 overeager to exit the aircraft as it approaches 

 the ground. Handlers must exercise caution to 

 insure that their dogs don't jump off until it is 

 safe to do so. 



b. Employment. In addition to normal em- 

 ployment on the ground, there are a number of 

 specific means of employing mine and tunnel dogs 

 on airmobile operations : 



(1) A mine and tunnel dog can be rappelled 

 to the ground to check a landing zone for mines 

 or boobytraps. 



(2) Mine and tunnel dogs can quickly check 

 a landing zone as the supported personnel are 

 dismounting and deploying. 



(3) Mine and tunnel dogs can check a po- 

 tential pickup zone for mines or boobytraps. 



118. Casualty Procedure 



There a number of specific procedures which 

 must be followed should a handler or dog sustain 

 injuries in combat. 



a. A wounded or injured handler is treated 

 according to the supported unit's casualty plan. 



(1) If a handler is to be left for later evacu- 

 ation, his dog will remain with him. 



(2) If a handler is to be evacuated by the 

 patrol, a member of the patrol should be de- 

 tailed to lead the dog on leash to the pickup 

 point. If this is not possible, the dog may be 

 turned off leash, as most dogs will follow their 

 handlers. 



Caution. Under no conditions should a member 

 of a supported unit attempt to work, the dog. 



b. Some dogs may become overly defensive and 

 try to prevent anyone approaching their handler 

 to administer first aid. In this situation every ef- 

 fort should be made to get the dog away from 

 the handler so that he can be treated and evacu- 

 ated. Several suggested methods are : 



(1) Coaxing the dog away with friendly 

 words or food. 



(2) Throwing a poncho over the dog to im- 

 mobilize it. 



(3) Roping and tying the dog. 



c. If none of the above works, or if the tac- 

 tical situation or nature of the handler's injuries 

 doesn't permit the above, then the dog MUST be 

 destroyed. NO MATTER HOW VALUABLE 

 THE DOG MAY BE, HUMAN LIFE AL- 

 WAYS TAKES PRECEDENCE. 



d. If a dog is wounded or killed, it is evacu- 

 ated under the same conditions as a human 

 would be evacuated. The handler always accom- 

 panies his dog. 



70 



