Handler remembers K-9 hero Published Oct. 11, 2012 By Kiley Swopes Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Before his assignment to Minot AFB, Tech. Sgt. Steven Kaun, 5th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, was stationed at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., with the 820th Security Forces Group as a handler. In July 2007, Kaun was assigned to work with Gitta, a patrol explosive detector K-9 who had been a Specialized Search Dog wash-out. Even though Gitta failed to complete the SSD training, she was recycled into the Patrol Explosive Detection Dog Program. She was then selected as one of five dogs to join the 820th SFG to become Department of Defense certified. On Jan. 3, 2009 Kaun and Gitta were deployed to Afghanistan to assist the missions of unconventional units. Despite being at war, Kaun fully trusted in Gitta's abilities. "Gitta was better than our actual SSD dogs," Kaun said. "Her nose was so impeccable and so accurate; she could pick up anything no matter the distance." Four months into their deployment, Kaun and Gitta caught a ride with an U.S. Army Route Clearance Patrol unit, instead of flying, to arrive early for their next mission brief. Kaun's role within the 10 vehicle, 45-person, convoy was strictly as a passenger. However, that all changed as they came to a complete stop and rapid communication began over the radios. "I didn't know what was going on for at least a half hour," Kaun explained. "I was asking questions, but I wasn't getting much information back." Word finally got to Kaun that members were determining if a parked vehicle in front of the convoy had a road-side bomb. "I told my vehicle commander to tell the convoy commander that they have a bomb dog team with them and I was willing to help if they needed my assistance," Kaun stated. The convoy commander immediately took Kaun up on his offer. After being briefed, Kaun learned the triggering device, composed of C4, had been found and disconnected, but there was no lead to the bomb. Gitta is a passive response dog, meaning she sniffs for an odor she is trained to detect and then stares where she thinks the odor is, Kaun explained. "I was afraid if I sent my dog up there and she smelled the C4 on the trigger, she would think that was the bomb and we would be counterproductive," Kaun said. With her first attempt came a change in behavior, but not a response, making Kaun realize that Gitta was only detecting the C4 in the trigger. "I don't know why I did it, but I called her back and set her up again," Kaun said. "Everyone's tension was high, so I got her to focus and had her do it again." Gitta re-approached the same area, circled once, sat and stared, Kaun recalled. "I wouldn't say that I was 100 percent confident because I still thought C4 was lingering in the area, but I was about 95 percent sure," Kaun said. The lead Humvee dug 11 inches below the surface, where Gitta identified, and uncovered an anti-tank mine. "At that point so much was going through my mind," Kaun recalls. "It was so humbling--the next thing I know all these people-- first year Army Privates--are coming up to me, thanking me and thanking Gitta." Kaun and Gitta returned from their deployment in August of 2009 where Kaun remained Gitta's handler for four more months until she was reassigned to someone else. "The hardest part was watching her deploy [to Haiti] with a new handler and not being able to see her every day, but I was glad to see she was doing something great," Kaun said. Shortly after Gitta returned home from her deployment, Kaun received orders to Minot Air Force Base. Six months after Kaun left, Gitta was reassigned to Creech Air Force Base, Nev. Recently, Kaun's kennel master from Moody AFB contacted him to inform him about the death of Gitta due to liver complications. She was five years old. "The fact that I know that her health had been degrading and she passed away due to liver problems--it's like anytime you know someone who has cancer. You always ask why them, why did they get it?" Kaun stated. "It just saddens me to know that the dog that had the best nose that I've ever seen passed away." Gitta was trained to protect the life of her handler and together they protected the lives of everyone else.