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Sarbi takes next steps on her journey home
Sarbi, the Explosive Detection Dog that went missing in Afghanistan for over a year, has arrived in the United Arab Emirates as part of her journey home. Sarbi arrived on a civilian flight into Dubai from Kabul on Tuesday 1 June.
Leaving Tarin Kowt with other Australian soldiers on a Royal Australian Air Force C-130 on 26 May, Sarbi was farewelled by her current handler from the Special Operations Task Group, Sergeant D, who said it was good to see her finally starting her journey home. Sergeant D was also Sarbi’s original handler when she went missing.
Sarbi completed a final veterinary check in Kandahar before being flown to Kabul, to obtain customs and immigration clearance from respective embassies, prior to her flight to the United Arab Emirates.
“It’s been a long journey and she has a fair way to go yet – I’ll be glad once it’s all over and she’s back in Australia,” Sergeant D said.
“She has been spending her days eating, sleeping and walking around the Multi-National Base at Tarin Kowt – she’s made herself quite at home here.”
A few days before leaving, Sarbi was farewelled by the Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie during his visit to troops in Tarin Kowt.
Commander of the Joint Task Force 633 in the Middle East, Major General John Cantwell, said he was happy to see her beginning her long journey home after her famous extended deployment to Afghanistan.
“I know she’s been spoiled in recent months as she awaited the outcome of her veterinary tests and looks perhaps slightly “healthier” than a working dog should,” Major General Cantwell said.
“Sarbi is a dog that will be remembered for her actions, but it is important to note that there are a lot of other dogs doing the same dangerous work as her in Afghanistan and we need to continue to support and recognise them as we have Sarbi.”
Sarbi will spend six months in the United Arab Emirates, which is an Australian Quarantine Inspection Service approved country; while she meets the residency, vaccination, testing and treatment requirements of the AQIS import conditions. During this time she will be visited regularly by ADF personnel.
As Sarbi’s import permit had expired and the ADF could not attest to her condition during her time missing in Afghanistan, Sarbi is required to reside in an AQIS approved country for a period of six months before being allowed to re-enter Australia, where she will remain in quarantine for another 30 days.
Go to www.defence.gov.au/sarbi/gallery/20100602/index.htm for imagery of Sarbi leaving Tarin Kowt and in the UAE.
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: (02) 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
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MSPA 205/10 Friday, 4 June 2010
DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
The Australian soldier who may be suffering an adverse reaction to opiates remains in a serious but stable condition and is being closely monitored in the US Medical Centre in Landstuhl, Germany. The soldier is being supported by his family.
Defence is currently making arrangements to move the soldier back to Australia however a date has not been confirmed. The return to Australia is subject to the soldier's medical condition and his fitness to take the extended journey home.
Private D was found unconscious and unresponsive by his colleagues on Friday, 28 May in Afghanistan.
The Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, announced on Thursday, 3 May, he was appointing a Chief of the Defence Force Commission of Inquiry to determine the facts and circumstances that resulted in the soldier being found unconscious.
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: (02) 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
Media Releases are available via e-mail if you register at www.defence.gov.au/media
Last Updated on Friday, 04 June 2010 22:16