**CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea** — U.S. Army units in South Korea conducted joint training on the medical evacuation of military working dogs, strengthening coordination among veterinary, military police and aviation personnel to improve battlefield response and readiness across the Korean Theater of Operations.
The 106th Medical Detachment Veterinary Service Support and Veterinary Readiness Activity, Korea, led the training in coordination with the 503rd Military Police Detachment and the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade. The exercise focused on military working dog loading procedures and air-medical evacuation operations using rotary-wing aircraft.
Officials said the training was designed to improve joint MEDEVAC operations, military working dog tactical care and air-ground integration in scenarios requiring rapid evacuation and treatment of injured animals. Military working dogs play a critical role in patrol, detection and force protection missions, making their survivability an important component of operational effectiveness.
By bringing together veterinary teams, handlers, military police and aviation crews, the exercise helped refine procedures for safely moving working dogs from the point of injury to higher levels of care. Leaders said the event also strengthened interoperability among units that would need to operate together during real-world contingencies.
The training directly enhanced medical evacuation procedures for military working dogs and increased the ability of participating units to respond quickly under operational conditions. Army officials said the effort supports the “Fight Tonight” readiness posture by ensuring critical working dog assets can be treated and transported efficiently in the event of injury.
The exercise underscored the Army’s emphasis on integrated readiness in the Korean Theater, where speed, coordination and cross-unit familiarity remain essential to mission success.