European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 4, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse Sgt. Rodolfo Meraz and partner Arco move through the Halfway Point of the course. A amps photos by Jim Derheim Meraz leads Arco Over a hurdle while sgt. Robert Morgan plays with Dorak. Man beast at the dog team biathlon by Crystal Laureano staff writer sgt. Malinda Lausen Knelt beside rambo held him close and whispered words of Comfort in his ear. Quot its of boy it s Gonna be All right a she said As the veterinarian checked the dog s heart lungs and temperature. As he was being examined rambo a belgian Malinis lurched in response to a movement in the Valley below s grip tightened slightly and she said calmly Quot Yea baby the bad Man s Down there. You re Gonna get him the Quot bad Man Quot was a military policeman in a padded suit preparing Tor the final phase of the third annual 42nd military police group military working dog team biathlon near Ansbach Germany on aug. 23 the top six finishers in the Competition which tests the skills and endurance of the military police dog handlers and their dogs will participate in an International Competition in Denmark this month. Fifteen teams from five Germany based companies scaled a 6-foot Wall crawled through a water filled ditch and negotiated other obstacles on a rugged 6-Kilometer Cross country course. About Midway the soldiers fired 10 m-16 rounds at a target 25 meters away. The final event required the dog to catch and hold an Quot intruder Quot waiting for the teams near the finish line. Quot i be been telling him rambo about this a said Lausen of the 285th my co in Karlsruhe. Quot he knows it s a special sgt. Patrick Dawson the Winner of last year s biathlon spoke confidently about his new partner s ability As 4-year-old Rongo surveyed the Rush of activity before the Competition. Quot in be had him about three months now Quot Dawson said. Quot he s doing Fine so far and i think hell do a Good Job today won t you boy Quot the teams left the Start line about 15 minutes apart heading Down a Trail to the first obstacle. About an hour into the Competition sgt Dale Kneeland of the 256th my co in Frankfurt started the dog carry segment of the event by lifting Kevin with a Roar that would rival that of any Power lifter reaching the top of the 75-meter Hill a few moments later he fell to his Knees nearly dropping the 85-Pound dog Quot dog weighs half As much As i do Quot gasped the 138-Pound Soldier As he led Kevin to a bowl of water. Quot dogs first Quot he replied when the judge offered him water. When faced with the Tunnel obstacle staff sgt. Randy Harnack also of the 256th, decided not to waste precious time on his dog Rikky which was hesitating to crawl alone into the darkness he pitched his m-16 toward the opposite end of the Tunnel grabbed Rikky s Leash and pulled the dog through. Rikky is a Quot skittish dog 1 who sometimes has to be persuaded by his handler Harnack said. Quot he sees something he does no to quite like and thinks dad won t make me do this Quot he said. Quot but i sporadic sprinkles had turned into a steady rainfall by the time the final team from the 193rd my co of number completed the course. On sgt. Robert Morgan s command Dorak ran after the Man in the Well padded suit. Amid yells of encouragement from the crowd on the Hill Dorak leapt into the air catching a forearm in his jaws a causing the mar to nearly lose his balance. Quot Check it out. What a finish a an onlooker said. The final results 1st place a sgt. Patrick Dawson and Rongo 294th of co Kaiserslautern 2nd place a staff sgt. Dean Taylor and Fox 560th my co Bremerhaven 3rd place a sgt. Rodolfo Meraz and Arco 294th my co. Kaiserslautern 4th place a spec. Patrick r. Currey and Nero. 193rd my co to Nurnberg 5th place a sgt. Paul Salavitch and Rocky 294th my co Kaiserslautern a 6th place a sgt. Robert Morgan and Dorak 193rd my co Numberg Best shot staff sgt Steven Echols and Igor. 2b5th my co Karlsruhe Page 14 a the stars and stripes wednesday. $
