THE Tanzania People Defense Force (TPDF) is set to transform its Military Dog Unit into an elite force ready for missions at home and abroad.

Brigadier General Abubakari Charo, Director of Military Police at  TPDF, said in Dar es Salaam  over the weekend when closing specialised military working dog handlers training course for officers and soldiers

Brigadier General Charo expressed appreciation to the TPDF Headquarters and its leadership for prioritizing the development of the Military Dog handler Unit’s training programs. 

He commended Lieutenant Colonel Meshark Kibubu, Commander of the Unit, for his commitment to strengthening the unit’s operational capacity.

He praised the Commander’s efforts in ensuring the effective training of personnel and dogs for national defense, including participation in internal and external operations, rescue missions, and peacekeeping assignments.

Brigadier General Charo also encouraged the graduates to build on the expertise they had gained and continue refining their skills to uphold the highest standards of professionalism in their future roles.

Lieutenant Colonel Meshark Kibubu reaffirmed the unit’s mission: to train officers, soldiers, and military dogs to serve the TPDF effectively during both peacetime and wartime, and to participate in peacekeeping missions in conflict-affected ares.

Military forces use dogs in a wide range of roles thanks to their intelligence, agility, strong sense of smell, and loyalty. 

These highly trained animals play a vital role in modern defense operations, both in combat and peacekeeping missions.

Military dogs are essential in Identifying bombs, landmines, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Also,  Locating illegal drugs in military zones, camps, and checkpoints.

In disaster zones, war-torn areas, or collapsed buildings, dogs are deployed to locate missing or trapped soldiers and civilians.

 Their speed and sensitivity make them invaluable in life-saving missions.

Dogs support soldiers in the field through: Sentry Duties,Patrol Work,Attack Missions and Tracking

Furthermore,Military dogs are used to track escaped prisoners,enemy movements and lost soldiers or civilians

Their ability to follow scent trails over long distances makes them critical assets in both wartime and peacetime operations.