us navy k9 viet nam

The US Navy K9 units played a vital but often overlooked role during the Vietnam War. Established in the mid-1960s, these specialized teams were composed of Navy handlers and highly trained military working dogs, primarily German Shepherds. Their primary missions included patrolling perimeters at naval installations, detecting enemy intruders, and sniffing out explosives and weapons caches. The bravery and keen senses of the Navy K9 teams greatly enhanced base security and saved countless lives throughout the conflict. After the war, many of these dogs were sadly left behind, but their legacy endures in the modern use of K9 units across the US military.