army Archives | The Cinch Review

October 25, 2012March 22, 2013

British army dog Theo receives posthumous medal

In March of 2011, in the Helmand province of Afghanistan, Lance Corporal Liam Tasker was killed by enemy fire. Lance Corporal Tasker was a specialized dog handler, and he was well known for being utterly inseparable from his arms-and-explosives-sniffing dog Theo, a springer spaniel who has been credited with more successful finds during his time in Afghanistan than any other dog with the British military, and is believed by so doing to have saved many human lives. The relationship between the two was such that Lance Corporal Tasker would prefer to consume his meals outdoors, with Theo, rather than leaving his trusted dog outside while he ate in the canteen.

Several hours after witnessing Lance Corporal Tasker being killed by enemy fire, the springer spaniel Theo was overcome by seizures, and died despite veterinary treatment.

The medal which has been awarded to Theo posthumously is one which is called the Dickin Medal (after its founder) and is also known as the animals’ Victoria Cross. It originated in the Second World War and has been used since then to recognize twenty-eight dogs, one cat, three horses and thirty-two WWII carrier pigeons.

May both of these heroes of the war in Afghanistan rest in peace. (Photo via Britain’s Ministry of Defence.)

April 16, 2011

Progress in Afghanistan

A must-read piece from Rajiv Chandrasekaran in the Washington Post details remarkable achievements in three southern districts of Afghanistan, thanks to the tough tactics, smarts and flat-out heroism of U.S. Marine and Army troops. But the question hanging over it all is this: What will happen in July, when President Obama’s date certain for a U.S. draw-down comes due?

March 11, 2011March 15, 2011

Politically correct on Islam: To be or not be – that is the question

There are two stories whose headlines can be seen in various places today, and a comparison of the two seems instructive. One goes like this: Fort Hood shooting: Nine Army officers get reprimand for missing warning signs raised by Nidal Hasan.

The U.S. Army has announced that nine officers will be reprimanded in some way for “leadership failures relating to the career of Maj. Hasan.” Major Nidal Hassan shot 13 people to death at Fort Hood, Texas, in 2009, and wounded 32 others, in what was by far the deadliest jihadist attack in the United States since September 11th, 2001. For some of the officers involved, the reprimands are described as “career-ending.” Continue reading “Politically correct on Islam: To be or not be – that is the question”