On 5 July 2021, at approximately 1600 EST, Combat Assault Dog Duco took his last breath—and with it, a part of my soul left as well. Until we meet again, buddy, when we can throw the ball once more. To all the Special Operations Forces (SOF) K9s past, present, and future: Godspeed, and happy hunting.
The SOF K9 Memorial Foundation, a nonprofit established by SOF K9 members, is a memorial for our fallen SOF K9s who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Funds were raised, and sculptor Lena Toritch was commissioned to create the statue. Depicting a Belgian Malinois in his full assault vest, the attention to detail for the K9 and his equipment is absolutely amazing.
On 27 July 2013, the SOF K9 Memorial was dedicated in Fayetteville, NC, near Fort Bragg at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum. The memorial is positioned so the K9 faces “Iron Mike,” a statue honoring the U.S. Paratrooper, and the museum’s front doors. Some say he stands as a sentry, guarding the legends of the airborne and special operations.
At the base of the memorial statue, a granite marker reads
CONSTANT VIGILANCE
THE BOND BETWEEN A
SOF HANDLER &
HIS K9 IS ETERNAL;
TRUSTING EACH OTHER
IN A NAMELESS LANGUAGE.
HERE WE HONOR OUR
SOF K9S THAT HAVE PAID
THE ULTIMATE PRICE.
These teammates sacrificed themselves to save countless lives. I am one of those saved by these dogs—many times. In all, 67 pavers bear the names of dogs from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australian special operations forces who have been killed in action protecting their pack since the September 11th terrorist attacks.
These four-legged warriors are the greatest combat multipliers on the battlefield. Always trust the dog.
SOF K9s at the Memorial
Here are some of the SOF K9s at the memorial and the impact they had on me as an SOF K9 handler.
SOF K9 Rocky
Killed in Action – 23 February 2005, Iraq. Rocky was a Dutch Shepherd and one of the first dogs I worked with in both training and combat. I remember the night he was killed—he died doing what he loved: protecting his teammates. Rocky saved lives that night
Seeing his lifeless body carried by his handler and the pain on his handler’s face was something I’ll never forget. I didn’t understand it at the time, but I do now after experiencing the bond firsthand. Words cannot describe the feeling of loss. Watching his handler remove his assault vest and collar, knowing you had just dressed your partner hours earlier, was heartbreaking.
Godspeed, Rocky—you are never forgotten.
SOF K9 Arcos
Killed in Action – 16 August 2005, Iraq. Arcos was the K9 who first taught me to trust the dog. I wasn’t a handler yet. One night, we chased a terrorist who fled a target house. The dog indicated he was to the left, but the “eye in the sky” said he was to the right. Arcos was correct—technology was wrong. We got the guy, and I got a big lesson that night.
Thank you, Arcos, for teaching me invaluable K9 lessons. I’ll never forget.
SOF K9 Valco
25 October 2005, my friend Chris “Dutch” Moyer was on a combat mission in Iraq’s Western Euphrates River Valley with his SOF K9 Valco. The enemy fled into a thick palm grove, and Valco located the combatant who opened fire on Valco, killing him instantly.
Dutch had spent three years as Valco’s handler, with numerous deployments together and rarely separated back home. “It’s very difficult to lose a dog,” says Moyer. “But he did what he was trained to do. When Valco died, he saved our lives in the process.”
SOF K9 Pepper
Missing/Killed in Action – 4 February 2006, Iraq. Pepper’s story is one of absolute heartbreak. It’s one thing to lose your dog in combat and bring their remains home. It’s another to cast your dog and never see them return, unable to recover them. I can’t imagine leaving empty-handed, without your partner.
Listen to Pepper’s story as told by her handler, my friend Dave.
You are never forgotten, Pepper.
SOF K9 Bodhi
Wounded in Action – 18 September 2010, Afghanistan, with his handler, Aaron Grider, Killed In Action. SOF K9 Bodhi was Killed In Action – 24 January 2012, Afghanistan.
Bodhi’s resilience just demonstrates the amazing drive of these SOF K9s. Bodhi’s actions that night taught us some valuable lessons. Even though Bodhi was wounded himself, he did not want anyone messing with his Dad.
From then, we started using an “assistant” handler concept. Someone familiar with the dog could put his muzzle on, treat his wounds if needed, and exfil him back to base.
I remember helping with Bodhi at Aaron’s funeral, Bodhi all bandaged up with that look of Where is Dad?
Aaron and Bodhi, you are never forgotten.
SOF K9 Timo
Killed in Action – 15 August 2012, Afghanistan. Timo was a hard-biting dog and one of mine and Duco’s teammates. His loss hit home hard because he was one of our mates, but his actions that day saved lives.
It’s hard to console a teammate when you’re geographically separated in a combat zone, knowing he has to get right back on the horse and head out with another dog protecting the pack.
Godspeed Timo. We will never forget you. Run around with Duco like you guys used to do, until we meet again.
My SOF K9s
SOF K9 Marco
Marco was my first primary SOF K9 partner, and he taught me a lot about being a handler and building the human–K9 bond. It’s one thing to work alongside a K9 team—it’s another to train your own partner for war, handle him, and employ him on the battlefield.
Marco was edgy and a great war dog, but I initially treated him more like a weapon of war than a dog. One of my trainers reminded me that sometimes, you have to let a war dog just be a dog.
Good speed, Marco, until we meet again.
SOF K9 Duco
SOF K9 Duco lost his battle with osteosarcoma on 5 July 2021, surrounded by his family. On that day, I lost a part of myself. It’s hard to explain, but I believe it’s because these dogs become an extension of you on the battlefield.
I am, and my teammates are, alive today because of Duco’s incredible actions on the battlefield. In my opinion, Duco was the gold standard of the SOF K9. He was my second primary K9 partner. I had worked numerous other dogs in combat, but he was the one.
Duco was very social with his pack but an absolute beast on the battlefield. He loved to hunt. For more about Duco and the In Honor of Duco Project, visit https://www.warhogg.com/in-honor-of-duco.
SOF K9 Memorial Foundation Memorial Day Service 2018
In 2018, the SOF K9 Memorial Foundation asked me to be the guest speaker at the Memorial Day Service at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, NC. Due to inclement weather, the service was held indoors. Of course, Duco was in attendance.
Watch the service. Start at the 7:00 mark to listen to my speech.
say their names
They say you die twice—once when you physically pass, and again when your name is spoken for the last time.
In Honor of Our SOF K9s who paid the ultimate sacrifice: Iwan, Rocky, Arcos, Valco, Ties, Pepper, Bonky, Duke, Vinny, Boy, Atos, Ramon, Reno, Duke, Shadow, Bahco, Falco, Freddy, Blade, Conan, Spido, Nik, Sammy, Barbar, Nero, Youri, Eros, Cody, Nora, Jarco, Hunter, Djanga, Boy, Marco, Bohdi, Benno, Kaylo, Timo, Ape, Banan, Apollo, Shadow, Jani, Sandy, Roy, Merle, Iris, Maiko.
US Navy: Spike, Robiek, Falco, Toby, Mailo, Remco, Bart (killed alongside his handler John Douangdara aboard Extortion 17), Bronco.
USMC: Tosca, Flex
UK: Scotty, Thor, Rudy, Rico, Garo, Doc, Rik
Australia – Quake, Devil, Kuga, Fax
The Guardians of the night
Listen to Max Martini’s heartfelt narration of Guardians of the Night, to honor SOF K9 Duco.
The greatest combat multipliers on the battlefield are these SOF war dogs. Their heroic actions have saved countless U.S. SOF service members’ lives—a number only God truly knows. Take a moment to remember the SOF K9s who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Together We Save Lives – Rick and SOF K9 Duco
