(Baonghean.vn) - During the US President's foreign trips, service dogs are an indispensable element to ensure maximum security for the head of the White House.
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To ensure the safety of the US President on each trip, in addition to elite secret service agents, intelligent service dogs are also mobilized. |
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Normally, there are about 20 service dogs in the entourage accompanying the US president on foreign trips, however this number is not fixed, depending on the agreement between US security and the host country's security. |
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These working dogs belong to the K-9 unit of the US Secret Service, established in 1977. The K-9 unit has about 75 working dogs, each worth about $9,000, and they are trained for 5 months at the James J. Rowley Training Center in Laurel, Maryland, which covers an area of more than 500 hectares and includes 31 buildings. |
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Before joining the K9 Unit, service dogs must undergo a thorough training course from learning to swim, overcome the sound barrier, not be afraid of bombs and bullets, overcome obstacles, and even parachute skills with humans. |
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At the center, police dogs are trained in special skills before being assigned to bomb disposal teams and security checks at hotels and buildings where the US president will visit or stay. |
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The K-9 dog team is part of the core security layer, tasked with scanning and detecting everything within 100 meters of the US president's position. K-9 dogs are also considered master experts in detecting explosives. |
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Service dogs can run like bullets at speeds of 60-80km/h and deliver a bite that can take down an opponent in a split second. Trained service dogs can attack vulnerable areas such as the neck, thighs, and lower body of the opponent with the most perfect technique. |
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Furthermore, in combat, American service dogs are also equipped with specialized protective equipment such as Doggle (eye protection), armor, life jackets, gas masks, long-range GPS vests, etc. This proves that the US security force not only considers service dogs as an "auxiliary weapon" in combat but also an indispensable member of the force. |
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Like a real soldier, each dog after completing their mission excellently is awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal by the US government, the highest honor for animals. Pictured: Dog Lucca is awarded the medal and written about in a book. Lucca lost a leg in a battle in Afghanistan in 2012. |
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An American service dog usually has a career span of about 11 years. During their work, they are paid very well and after retirement, they are taken care of and live comfortably with their handlers. |
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The US K-9 service dog force has been operating quietly for more than 40 years. Their mission is to protect the president, vice president, election candidates and important people. Very few people know about this loyal, combative four-legged force. |
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As usual, to ensure maximum security for the US President’s visit to Vietnam and the APEC 2017 Summit in Da Nang, US agents brought K-9 service dogs to work. The loyal animals arrived at the airport very early, along with hundreds of US agents, scanning the area and checking for safety before Mr. Trump’s plane landed. |
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