LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. - -- An animal that has saved or protected a person is a rare and unique thing and Luke has one such K-9 that is being recognized for his contributions. Rex, an 8-year-old German shepherd, joined the Air Force and arrived at Luke in March 2002. 

For all of Rex's deeds he has been nominated for the Maricopa County Friends of Animal Care and Control Hero Award with an awards banquet being held Oct. 17. 

"He's without a doubt worthy of recognition for his service to our community as well as the national defense of the United States, both at home and while deployed to a combat
zone," said Staff Sgt. Mark Quintero, 56th Security Forces Squadron military working dog kennel NCO in charge. 

In addition to being a patrol and explosives detector dog, Rex's disposition allows him to serve as an ambassador of the Air Force and the 56th SFS, regularly accompanying his handler, Staff Sgt. Andrew Nicholas, 56th SFS military working dog handler, to local schools and community events to demonstrate his keen abilities. 

"Rex is a joy to work with," Sergeant Nicholas said. "He is an energetic dog with a smooth and mild personality." 

From December 2005 to February 2006, Rex was deployed to Southwest Asia. While there, he performed countless missions to include cordon searches, air assault
missions, apprehension of insurgents and clearing convoy routes of improvised
explosive devices. 

Rex was recognized in January for his courageous actions during the arrest of an insurgent bomb maker in Iraq. Despite taking heavy enemy fire, Rex led American servicemembers through a safe passage ensuring that no one was injured. His actions
resulted in the arrest of the bomb maker as well as the seizure of explosives and bomb
making materials, thereby, saving lives of countless Americans and Iraqis. 

In addition to being a combat veteran and hero, Rex has served Luke and its neighboring community partners. Twice, Rex has been called to conduct explosives searches at local high schools after bomb threats were called in as well as assisting the Buckeye police with a bomb threat at a local store. He has been called upon to assist the secret service protection mission -- his last secret service mission sent him to the United Nations Summit in New York City. Rex has also helped in making life a little better for local children suffering life-threatening diseases by assisting with Make-A-Wish Foundation visits to Luke. 

Rex has continually proved himself an invaluable member of the Air Force and a proud member of the Maricopa County community. 

Note: Rex is currently deployed to Iraq and is scheduled to return this fall. Already he has uncovered numerous explosives caches and improvised explosive devices.