scout dog unit

September Under the command of CPT James T. Reily the 212th MP Company (Sentry Dog) moved its 1st Platoon and Headquarters to Long Binh Post from Pershing Field in Saigon. The 1st Platoon and HQ consisted of approximately 90 men.

20 October The 720th MP Battalion made military history when It was the first time in the history of the United States Armed Forces that a military police unit was assigned an infantry mission in a war zone. The mission was code named Operation STABILIZE.

The 18th Military Police Brigade assigned the 720th MP Battalion a 22 square mile Tactical Area Of Responsibility [TAOR] along the southern perimeter of Long Binh Post, and tasked it with the unique responsibility of fighting as infantry when required in support of Operation Corral then Operation Stabilize. Four village outpost were staffed with squads of MP's, a River Patrol Unit was assigned waterborne security duties, and Ambush & Recon squads were formed, and trained by members of the 5th Special Forces Group headquarters in Bien Hoa.

It was also during this time that the 212th MP Company, who were under the operational control of the 89th MP Group, and subordinate to the 720th MP Battalion (for logistics and administration), requested volunteers for the formation of the new Scout Dog Unit to be housed at the Long Binh Detachment. Their assignment was to work with the 720th MP Battalion Ambush & Recon squads in the new Tactical Area Of Responsibility.

28 November At 1915 hours [7:15 PM], The Battalion Tactical Operations Center [TOC] was advised that there will be a meeting at 1000 hours [10:00 AM], 29 November 1967, for all Company Officers and Operations Sergeants regarding Scout Dogs.

The meeting will take place tentatively in the Battalion Chapel. As per CPT Steven J. Vass, 720th Operations Officer [S-3], all Company Commanders notified via, PFC Koerber, A Company, SP/4 William J. Kuper, B Company, SP/4 Stanley Van Kleeck, C Company, and SP/4 Stephen Pinello, Jr., 615th MP Company.

Information on the details of this meeting, please contact the History Project Manager via the Email Link at the top of this page.

The newly formed unit, located on Long Binh Post, worked side by side with the members of the combined 720th MP Battalion Ambush and Recon Squads in 1967 and early 1968, and B Company Ambush and Recon Squads from 26 June 1968 through July 1970 in the Tactical Area of Responsibility during Operation STABILIZE.

Members of the newly formed Scout Dog Unit, were assigned to work with the combined 720th MP Battalion Ambush and Recon Squads that were tasked with rooting out the local Viet Cong Infrastructure within the Tactical Area of Responsibility. The Scout Dogs and their handlers walked the point on all ambush and reconnaissance missions they were assigned to.

The mission assignments depending on the goals could last anywhere from one day to five days in length. Each handler was not only responsible for carrying his own weapons, gear and rations but also enough to sustain his K9 partner. In those situations where the operational goals would unexpectedly be extended, the needed provisions would be delivered along the Dong Nai River by the 720th MP Battalion River Patrol Unit.