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U.S. Air Force Military Working Dog Carla looks up at her handler, U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Dontae Stamps, 52nd Security Forces Squadron kennel master, during MWD Carla’s retirement ceremony at the base theater on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, June 3, 2021. The 2016 National Defense Authorization Act mandates that handlers of MWDs be given first rights of adoption upon retirement to ensure that battle buddies who serve together can remain together. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Maeson L. Elleman)

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210603-F-LH638-1036

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Dontae Stamps, 52nd Security Forces Squadron kennel master, holds the leash of Military Working Dog Carla during Carla’s retirement ceremony at the base theater on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, June 3, 2021. Upon Carla’s retirement, Stamps volunteered to adopt her and care for her for the rest of her life. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Maeson L. Elleman)

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U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ben Washburn, 52nd Security Forces Squadron commander (right) poses with 52nd SFS military dog handlers and Military Working Dog Carla after presenting MWD Carla a plaque during her retirement ceremony at the base theater on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, June 3, 2021. During the ceremony, MWD Carla retired from Spangdahlem AB after 11 years of service as a patrol and explosives detector dog. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Maeson L. Elleman)

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U.S. Air Force Col. Jason Hokaj, 52nd Fighter Wing vice commander (center), and Chief Master Sgt. Stephanie Cates, 52nd FW command chief (right), present a treat to Military Working Dog Carla during her retirement ceremony at the base theater on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, June 3, 2021. Following her ceremony, MWD Carla was given treats by wing and group leadership as congratulations for her service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Maeson L. Elleman)

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210603-F-LH638-1150

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ben Washburn, 52nd Security Forces Squadron commander (left), and Tech. Sgt. Dontae Stamps, 52nd SFS kennel master, pose for a photo with Military Working Dog Carla during her retirement ceremony at the base theater on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, June 3, 2021. Throughout her 11 years stationed at Spangdahlem AB, MWD Carla, a patrol and explosives detector dog, deployed twice and served on countless U.S. Secret Service missions protecting high-ranking U.S. Government officials. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Maeson L. Elleman)

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U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ben Washburn, 52nd Security Forces Squadron commander, salutes Military Working Dog Carla during her retirement ceremony at the base theater on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, June 3, 2021. MWD Carla was 12 years old at the time of her retirement. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Maeson L. Elleman)

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U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ben Washburn, 52nd Security Forces Squadron commander, and Tech. Sgt. Dontae Stamps, 52nd SFS kennel master, perform the changing of the collar during the retirement ceremony of Military Working Dog Carla at the base theater on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, June 3, 2021. The changing of the military working dog collar to a non-standard band signifies the end of service as a MWD and the beginning of her life as a stay-at-home pet. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Maeson L. Elleman)

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210603-F-LH638-1119

U.S. Air Force audience members listen to a speech during the retirement ceremony of Military Working Dog Carla at the base theater on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, June 3, 2021. MWD Carla retired at the age of 12, and was adopted by her previous handler, U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Dontae Stamps, 52nd Security Forces Squadron kennel master. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Maeson L. Elleman)

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210603-F-LH638-1091

U.S. Air Force Military Working Dog Carla sits next to her handler, U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Dontae Stamps, 52nd Security Forces Squadron kennel master, during MWD Carla’s retirement ceremony at the base theater on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, June 3, 2021. Though Stamps served as one of Carla’s handler for a brief period upon arriving to Spangdahlem, Carla has been under the care of eight separate handlers throughout her 11 years serving as a military working dog on Spangdahlem Air Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Maeson L. Elleman)

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210603-F-LH638-1079

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ben Washburn, 52nd Security Forces Squadron commander, speaks during the retirement ceremony for Military Working Dog Carla at the base theater on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, June 3, 2021. Many MWDs like Carla typically retire between the ages of 10-12 either due to injury, illness or the inability to perform their necessary day-to-day duties to support Security Forces operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Maeson L. Elleman)

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U.S. Air Force Military Working Dog Carla lies down next to her handler at her retirement ceremony at the base theater on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, June 3, 2021. During her time serving as a military working dog, Carla was deployed to Saudi Arabia and Kenya, and her service includes multiple U.S. Secret Service missions protecting high-ranking U.S. government officials. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Maeson L. Elleman)

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Sabers honor MWD during retirement ceremony

Published June 14, 2021
By Tech. Sgt. Maeson L. Elleman
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- U.S. Air Force Military Working Dog Carla looks up at her handler, U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Dontae Stamps, 52nd Security Forces Squadron kennel master, during MWD Carla’s retirement ceremony at the base theater on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, June 3, 2021. The 2016 National Defense Authorization Act mandates that handlers of MWDs be given first rights of adoption upon retirement to ensure that battle buddies who serve together can remain together. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Maeson L. Elleman)

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