Combat assault dog honoured

In a moving ceremony in Perth last month, Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) combat assault dog, Fax, posthumously received the Australian Animal Distinguished Service Medal for outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty during Operation Slipper in Afghanistan in 2013.

CAPTION: Combat assault dog, Fax, posthumously receives an Australian Animal Distinguished Service Medal at a ceremony at Special Air Service Regiment in Perth. Story by Major S.

The award recognises the outstanding actions of animals in service or to the community.

Fax passed SASR combat assault dog selection in February 2012 and deployed to Afghanistan in June 2012.

The Belgian Malinois was described as strong-willed yet affectionate and quickly won over the members of his squadron.

One of his handlers in Afghanistan, Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) J, said Fax integrated quickly with his troop and was always excited about getting out and working.

“His kind nature was infectious and he always put a smile on everyone’s face when he was around,” WO2 J said.

In Fax’s short period of operating with his troop, he proved to be a strong and capable dog in the detection and apprehension of insurgents.

On January 6, 2013, Fax and his handler were tasked to locate and detain an insurgent observed moving along a creek in Uruzgan.

After entering the creek line, Fax cleared ahead of the force element before indicating a threat behind a boulder in a potential ambush position.

Fax sprinted towards the boulder where he located an armed insurgent and apprehended him by the arm, enabling the operators to close distance while his handler engaged from an exposed position.

During the struggle with Fax, the insurgent broke free and shot him at close range, mortally wounding him.

Despite sustained life-saving efforts by his handler and US medical personnel en route to Tarin Kowt, Fax succumbed to his wounds shortly after arrival.

WO2 J said Fax’s actions that day directly saved his life and that of the patrol members.

“Fax’s courage is a true reflection of the qualities of a combat assault dog of the Special Air Service Regiment,” he said.

Speaking at the medal ceremony, Commander SASR Colonel S said combat assault dogs were “both our shield and our sword, and they never let us down”.

“In the lines, they connect us to home, in the field they are precise, controlled, keeping us safe from harm,” Colonel S said.

“Fax’s conduct was of the highest order and in keeping with the finest traditions of the Special Air Service Regiment, Special Operations Command Australia, the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force.”

Fax had previously been awarded the Canine Operational Service Medal – Clasp Afghanistan and the Canine Service Medal.

There are more than 200 military working dogs in service in Defence, working across Army and Air Force.

CAPTION: Combat assault dog, Fax, posthumously receives an Australian Animal Distinguished Service Medal in Perth.

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