Best Defense
Thomas E. Ricks' daily take on national security.

Rebecca’s War Dog of the Week: risky business in Afghanistan

By Rebecca Frankel Best Defense Chief Canine Correspondent The suave looking war dog in this photo is wearing doggles — not goggles, doggles — and yes, these are real. Military dogs wear doggles specifically designed to protect the eyes of working dogs from dust and debris. Soldiers rely on the heightened senses of these dogs ...

U.S. Army/Sgt. Jason Brace/flickr
U.S. Army/Sgt. Jason Brace/flickr
U.S. Army/Sgt. Jason Brace/flickr

By Rebecca Frankel
Best Defense Chief Canine Correspondent

By Rebecca Frankel
Best Defense Chief Canine Correspondent

The suave looking war dog in this photo is wearing doggles — not goggles, doggles — and yes, these are real. Military dogs wear doggles specifically designed to protect the eyes of working dogs from dust and debris. Soldiers rely on the heightened senses of these dogs which far surpass those of a human, and so the dogs’ handlers take the precautionary measures necessary to protect them, keeping a careful watch on their vitals and the care they receive in the field. 

This German Shepherd is wearing his doggles while Chinook helicopters take off during an air assault operation by U.S. soldiers in Parwan province, Afghanistan on May 11.      

Thomas E. Ricks covered the U.S. military from 1991 to 2008 for the Wall Street Journal and then the Washington Post. He can be reached at ricksblogcomment@gmail.com. Twitter: @tomricks1

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