Ceremony for service to Air Force

Officials with the Charleston Air Force Base in North Charleston recently celebrated a retirement ceremony of a different breed. Literally.

The Security Forces Squadron recently retired Liz, a Labrador retriever, who spent the last nine years serving in the Air Force as an explosives detection dog. Liz was granted a retirement ceremony similar to other military officials, complete with commendations, photo ops and well wishes. It was the first time the Charleston Air Force Base held a ceremony for someone who was not, well … a human.

If the packed room can be considered evidence, Liz will surely be missed throughout the ranks at the base.

"We demand the best out of these dogs and they never let us down," 437th Mission Support Group commander Col. Frank Jones, said at the retirement ceremony.

In 1998, Liz began her career with the military at the Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. She arrived at the Charleston Air Force base in July 1999.

In service in Iraq in 2005, Liz solidified her status as war hero while stationed there with her handler, Staff Sgt. Catherine Johnson. Johnson and 20 members of her platoon were searching a house in a war-ravaged area when Liz ran to a corner and sat down, a signal to the platoon that explosives where in the house. Eight 155-milimeter rockets hard-wired with explosives and detonating charges were found inside. Because of her quick response that day, lives were saved.

"She's an awesome dog and I'm going to miss her," Johnson said. "Thanks for saving my life."

Liz was recently adopted by Reservist Tech. Sgt. Dennis Woods and will live with him in Summerville.

A distinguished career in the military has come to end for Liz the faithful Lab. But Charleston Air Force Base officials agree that her contributions to their military community will not soon be forgotten

"She did her job and she did it well," Security Forces Squadron Commander Lt. Col. Seth McKee said.

Reach Jasiri Whipper at 745-5863 or jwhipper@postandcourier.com.