Meet Buster the Military Spaniel Who Saved Lives

Buster was a highly skilled military spaniel who served in World War II. He was trained to detect landmines and other explosives.

Buster's incredible abilities allowed him to detect over 200 landmines and other explosives during his service, saving countless lives. His work was instrumental in keeping soldiers safe.

Buster's story is a testament to the bravery and loyalty of military animals like him, who risk their lives to protect others.

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Buster was a decorated military veteran with five tours of duty.

He served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Bosnia, where he used his exceptional sense of smell to detect explosives and save human lives.

Buster was an arms and explosive search partner and best friend of Flight Sergeant Will Barrow.

He was a big hit wherever he traveled, particularly among the unit with which he was serving.

Buster's job description was to detect explosives and save human lives, and he did it passionately and powerfully.

He completed a six-month intensive training course between the ages of 1 and 3, which is typical for armed explosives search dogs.

Buster's worth can't be measured strictly with his sense of smell; he was also a hands-on therapist and morale booster for the troops.

He helped cheer up the soldiers, and many's the time he'd find some of them chatting away with him on the cot beds.

Buster completed more tours than any other military dog, and he is said to have saved "a thousand lives" in warzones around the world.

Buster was awarded a Dickin Medal for his heroic efforts in Iraq.

The Dickin Medal is referred to as the Victoria Cross for animals.

Buster was the 60th animal to be awarded the medal since its introduction in 1943.

He was awarded his Medal at the Crufts dog show in Birmingham, England, in March 2005.

Buster's Dickin Medal citation reads, "In March 2003... in Iraq... Arms and explosives search dog, Buster, located an arsenal of weapons and explosives hidden behind a false wall in a property linked with an extremist group."

He "is considered responsible for saving the lives of service personnel and civilians."

Following the find, all attacks ceased and shortly afterwards troops replaced their steel helmets with berets.

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Buster's heroic acts are truly inspiring. He saved a thousand lives in warzones around the world.

As an Arms and Explosive Search Dog, Buster's sense of smell was incredibly valuable, but it's not the only reason he's a hero. He was a hands-on therapist and morale booster for troops.

Buster completed more tours than any other military dog, serving in Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Iraq. He was a big hit with the troops, especially the ones he worked with on a daily basis.

He even made friends with local Afghans, who were drawn to him like a "canine Pied Piper." Buster was a natural at bringing people together.

Buster's job description included detecting explosives and saving human lives. He took his job very seriously, and his nose was always working overtime to sniff out hidden dangers.

Despite the dangers he faced, Buster remained calm and focused, like a "fully wound clockwork toy." His handler, Flight Sergeant Will Barrow, relied on him to keep them safe.

Buster's impact went beyond his work, though. He had a calming influence on those around him, and many soldiers would confide in him when they needed someone to talk to.

Buster, a 13-year-old springer spaniel, was a decorated military veteran with five tours of duty.

He was trained as an arms and explosive search dog, a high-profile, effective deterrent used as a proactive response to terrorist activity.

Buster's tasks included patrolling bases, searching vehicles at checkpoints, and going on patrols to search for weapons, ammunition, and explosives.

He completed a six-month intensive training course between the ages of 1 and 3, which is the typical age range for recruitment.

Buster's exceptional efforts in austere environments earned him recognition and respect from the Royal Air Force and the British public.

He was said to have saved "a thousand lives" in warzones around the world, including in Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Iraq.

Buster's handler, Flight Sergeant Will Barrow, described him as a beloved companion and a soldier who was entitled to share their space.

The dog's sense of smell was crucial to his job, but he was also a hands-on therapist and morale booster for troops, including RAF and American soldiers.

Buster's worth couldn't be measured strictly by his sense of smell; he was a valued member of the team and a loyal companion.

He made friends with local Afghans and even drew in a crowd of children during patrols, earning him the nickname "a canine Pied Piper".

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