Throughout the course of historical past, there are specific days that stand out in our reminiscences. The feelings we felt and the historic significance echo in our minds for a lifetime. For some folks, it was the shock of dropping the King of Rock ‘N Roll. For others, it was the devastation of learning about President Kennedy’s assassination. But, for many of us dwelling proper now, it was the horrors that unfolded on 9/11 and the brand new regular we’ve got realized to reside with. Since the second American Airlines Flight 11 struck the north tower at 8:46 am on a seemingly regular, blue-sky Tuesday morning, our lives have by no means been the identical.
The United States and its allies spent the subsequent decade combating and monitoring Al-Qaeda and their chief, Osama Bin Laden. On May 2nd, 2011, in a darkish compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, Osama Bin Laden lastly answered for the fear he had brought about all the world. The raid was executed by U.S. Special Forces – an elite group of troopers, also referred to as SEAL Team 6. Within this brotherhood of fearless fighters there was a canine named Cairo.
The Best Soldier To Ever Walk The Earth On Four Legs
Cairo was greater than a canine. He was a one-of-a-kind, lethally skilled navy working canine, or MWD. Cairo’s coaching was in contrast to something you’ve most likely ever heard of. His grit and tenacity made him fairly presumably the very best soldier to ever stroll the Earth on 4 legs. He was completely fearless and dedicated to his nation and the trigger.
Provided by Will Chesney, United States Navy
Cairo was a Belgian Malinois who was handpicked in Europe to affix the U.S. Special Forces. Much like his human Navy SEAL comrades, Cairo endured coaching that was designed to separate the weak from the soldiers. Many canine candidates rapidly discovered that they didn’t have the correct temperament for the job. But Cairo? He soared. Approximately 20% of Navy SEAL candidates full their coaching and earn the consideration of sporting a trident however even fewer MWDs can say the identical. Cairo was described as a “one-percenter.” His handler and pop, Will Chesney, described him as having a “freakish athletic ability” and a piece ethic that seemingly had no limits.
But you see, Cairo was greater than an explosive sniffing, terrorist killing machine. Sure, he may assault a heavily-armed rebel whereas rocket-propelled grenades burst close by with out a second thought. But, he may additionally cuddle up on the sofa and watch films with youngsters simply as simply. There was one thing particular about Cairo and his inherent skill to know when to flip the swap.
Provided by Will Chesney
Cairo Followed Chesney Everywhere, Including Out Of Planes On A Parachute
Cairo was paired with Chesney and the 2 of them spent about two months coaching collectively in California. Both had already confirmed their skills individually and the time had come for them to affix forces. Chesney and Cairo have been deployed collectively for the primary time to FOB Sharana in Paktika Province, Afghanistan. They spent 4 months neutralizing targets, day after day.
Cairo was an important member of the unit. He trudged over rocky, desert terrain and fought alongside his fellow troopers in a number of the most intense moments of the battle. He jumped out of planes and repelled out of helicopters onto rocky mountainsides. There was nothing he wouldn’t do.
Cairo Nearly Lost His Life Saving His Fellow Soldiers
One specific evening, Cairo was despatched to attempt to discover insurgents hiding amongst heavy brush and bushes. He instantly scaled a half wall and went to work weaving out and in of bushes, utilizing his supersonic sense of odor to smell out the enemy. That’s when it occurred. Gunfire.
Chesney instantly started calling for Cairo to come back again however there was no signal of Cairo wherever. Bullets have been now flying from either side as Chesney desperately looked for Cairo, calling him time and again. Eventually, Cairo appeared, sluggish and clearly injured. He was too weak to climb again over the wall. In a valiant effort to obey Chesney’s orders, Cairo had taken the good distance round. Chesney ran in direction of him however proper earlier than he reached him, Cairo fell to the bottom.
“I didn’t mourn. I didn’t panic. We still had a mission to accomplish, and Cairo was no longer a part of that mission. He was gone,” Chesney recalled.
Provided by Will Chesney
A Miracle In The Midst Of Combat
It’s not usually {that a} Navy SEAL’s instincts are improper, however this time they have been. Cairo had in truth been shot, not as soon as however twice at point-blank vary. Once within the chest and as soon as in his leg. The medic packed his wounds similar to some other soldier and a medevac was referred to as in. Cairo and Chesney boarded the helicopter collectively and rushed to the closest base the place Cairo could have had some probability at survival. They slept on the ground collectively that evening as a result of Chesney wished Cairo to know he wasn’t alone. He wished to be there if Cairo took his final breath. But, Cairo wasn’t accomplished combating for his nation. Miraculously, Cairo pulled by means of and Chesney was awoken the subsequent morning by light kisses from his finest pal and lifesaver.
Provided by Will Chesney
After receiving life-saving surgical procedure and a little bit of steel {hardware}, Cairo went again to work. He by no means as soon as hesitated to return to the job he cherished.
Provided by Will Chesney
Operation Neptune Spear
On May 2nd, 2011, Cairo and Chesney boarded a helicopter and headed to Abbottabad, Pakistan to execute Operation Neptune Spear. Cairo sat calmly in Chesney’s lap whereas all the unit braced themselves for the mission. The members of SEAL Team 6 absolutely anticipated to by no means set foot on American soil alive once more. They had already stated their goodbyes and accepted their destiny. Chesney scratched Cairo behind the ears one final time.
What occurred subsequent has been broadcast world wide and celebrated in films that may’t even do it justice. Wearing the identical, blood-soaked vest that he had beforehand been shot in, Cairo was one of many first troopers to place boots (or paws) to the bottom. He made his method across the perimeter sniffing for explosives earlier than heading into the compound. Once Cairo and Chesney gave the all-clear, the remainder of SEAL Team 6 breached the compound and efficiently introduced an finish to the Al-Qaeda chief. The man who was chargeable for practically 3,000 deaths on 9/11 was lastly delivered to justice. It was solely made doable with the assistance of a four-legged hero who risked his life to verify his fellow troopers have been secure.
Provided by Will Chesney
Retirement Was Even Sweeter With A Best Friend… And Steak
Cairo and Chesney each retired from the Navy and with mounds of paperwork, the 2 have been lastly capable of be reunited. Cairo didn’t cease saving lives as soon as he retired although.
As we all know too properly, many veterans undergo from the lasting bodily and psychological results of fight. Chesney was no completely different. Cairo re-entered his life at one in every of his lowest factors and gave him the desire to trudge on by means of grueling psychological and bodily restoration. However, it rapidly turned obvious to Chesney that he wasn’t the one one to undergo from PTSD. Cairo, a as soon as fearless warrior that was unphased by grenade blasts and machine weapons, now paced the room and moist himself when a thunderstorm rolled in. Chesney usually awakened in the midst of the evening to seek out that Cairo had dirty his mattress. He would invite Cairo into his personal mattress the place they might cuddle collectively and drift off to sleep as that they had so a few years in the past of their barracks in Afghanistan.
Cairo was at all times a canine full of love and affection, regardless of what he was skilled to do. He cherished taking part in ball and having fun with a steak dinner together with his dad and being snuck out of the navy kennel to be spoiled with an evening of flicks on the sofa and cuddles. He additionally cherished driving round city in his doggles and helmet within the bike sidecar that Chesney purchased specifically for Cairo. Their adventures and bond reached far past the realm of battle.
Provided by Will Chesney
Heroes And Best Friends Never Die, They Just Cross The Rainbow Bridge
On April 2nd, 2015 at 3:20 pm, Cairo took his final breath as his dad held his paw and instructed him how a lot he cherished him. If he may spend yet another day with Cairo, Chesney says they might spend it on the boat that Cairo cherished, and end the day by consuming a steak dinner.
Chesney obtained a Purple Heart and a Silver Star for his heroism. Sadly, Cairo was by no means given an award regardless of being simply as integral within the success of Operation Neptune Spear. Chesney desires the world to know in regards to the unbelievable work that navy working canines do and the numerous lives that they save. He wrote a e-book in honor of Cairo in order that the world may know in regards to the courageous soldier who helped deliver justice to the horrific occasions of 9/11 and cease Osama Bin Laden from harming the world with any extra acts of terror.
Cairo’s blood-soaked vest is proudly displayed completely on the 9/11 Memorial in New York City.
Chesney carries Cairo’s ashes with him wherever he goes. Tucked away in his backpack, in an unassuming espresso can with a pawprint, lies an American hero and Chesney’s finest pal.
Provided by Will Chesney
And if Chesney may say something to Cairo? He stated with a chuckle that he would ask him how he appreciated the e-book.
“He never knew what he had accomplished or the lives he saved, but he knew that he made people happy. And that was the most important thing to him.” -Will Chesney
No Ordinary Dog is now out there for buy. You also can comply with Will Chesney for e-book tour info and his efforts to deliver consciousness to mind accidents and psychological well being right here.
h/t: @NoOrdinaryDogE-book/Facebook
Featured Photo: Will Chesney, United States Navy
