Technical Sergeant Kerry Thompson + Bleck: Security Forces K9 

Technical Sergeant Kerry Thompson and Military Working Dog (MWD) Bleck proved invaluable on three separate occasions while deployed to Afghanistan.

After completing a mission, the Task Force Eagle Division came under fire from 107mm rockets. The first two rockets targeted the building where MWD Bleck was kenneled. Realizing this, Sergeant Thompson maneuvered through the impact zone and retrieved Bleck without concern for his own safety. Subsequently, a rocket flew overhead impacting a barrier near him. Sergeant Thompson protected Bleck as two more rockets impacted within 30 meters of the team, pelting them with shrapnel, fragmentation and debris. Sergeant Thompson’s actions saved the life of MWD Bleck, which later proved invaluable.

While providing explosive detection support to Task Force Crazy Horse, the group learned insurgents were setting up improvised explosive devices (IED) on commonly-trafficked roads. Sergeant Thompson alerted his commander and took immediate action. He and Bleck cleared more than three miles of roads, detecting two previously missed IEDs and ensuring a safe travel route.

Upon returning from Joint patrol duty, Sergeant Thompson’s convoy was ambushed with combined IED, small-arms, mortar-fire, damaging his vehicle. He took cover and returned fire. Realizing the convoy was still in the kill zone and there may be additional IEDs, Sergeant Thompson and Bleck moved south by foot, exposing themselves to enemy fire. They detected the location of two additional IEDs, marking them and communicating their locations, which enabled the convoy to safely move out of the kill zone without any loss of life.

Sergeant Thompson was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal with Valor, Air Force Combat Action Medal and Army Combat Action Badge.