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Patrick M Mattingly - Active Member
Address: New Braunfels, Texas
Email:
Dog(s) :LIZ - X826 , MICK - 0X04
Branch: USAF
Unit(s): 355th SPS (Takhli) Thailand
War(s): Vietnam
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Mick 0X04 at Main Kennel Entrance
Biography:
I entered the Air Force from Evansville, Indiana in 1967 after a year going no where in college. After basic training I was assigned to Minot AFB ND, a SAC base. After spending a winter there doing flight line security I volunteered for everything that I could. Sentry Dog School was the first thing that came open. I never had a dog growing up because of my mothers health so this assignment was a little unnerving. However, dog school changed my life. Before the school was over I had orders waiting for me to Takhli. I served with a good bunch of guys there. Can't say much for the Kennel Master a TSgt Bonick? At 18 and 19 working at night alone in the jungle with a dog was pretty scary duty until you learned the ropes. I had two different dogs at Takhli. Liz 0826 and Mick 0X04. Liz was an obstacle course junkie and Mick was the best post dog in the kennel and saved me and another handler from a nest of Cobras one night. I got into a little trouble there twice and lost stripes. But that tour and the experience prepared me for my future. I earned all my stripes back, was promoted to Sgt, and earned Airman of the Quarter before I was discharged from Maxwell, AFB. I started college while at Maxwell earning an AS from Troy State University before my enlistment was up. I met my wife while at Maxwell who was a Sgt in Communications. Best thing that ever happened to me. I went on to earn a BS Degree from the University of Alabama-Birmingham. I'm currently Vice President-Asset Protection & Chief Compliance Officer at Rush Enterprises.