WEBVTT

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(dramatic music)

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(gun firing)

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(blades thrumming)

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- [Jesse] Marine dog handlers

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aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard

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train with their canine companions

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with various drills to keep them mission-ready.

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^- I mean, ultimately it comes down to saving lives.

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^Whether it's a patrol explosive detection dog,

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or a specialized search dog, or a combat tracking dog,

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the main goal is to get out there and save lives.

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- [Jesse] Saving lives does not necessarily mean

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retrieving servicemembers from hostile territory.

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Ester, Kuko, and Ella, the military working dogs

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aboard Bonhomme Richard, offer companionship

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to comfort the men and women aboard the vessel.

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^- As I'm sure you've seen around the ship,

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^it's just a morale booster just to have dogs around.

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^I don't think dogs are gonna go away any time soon.

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They've been in service throughout the military's history.

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And there have been lulls,

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and times where we may not have used them as much,

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but I think it's a really valuable asset

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to have in any military.

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- [Jesse] Extensive training, and living in

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close proximity with the four-legged squadron members

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creates a bond that stays with the doggy duo

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outside of mission operations.

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- She's about six-and-a-half,

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and I EAS in about 15 months,

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so I'm hoping I have the opportunity to adopt her.

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I honestly can't really imagine not having her.

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So I guess we'll cross that bridge

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if I have to when it gets here.

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- [Jesse] Reporting for USS Bonhomme Richard,

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I am Seaman Apprentice Jesse Marquez Magallanes.

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- We are...

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- We are...

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- We are BHR.

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(soft guitar music)