File:Flickr - DVIDSHUB - Texas Native Relaxes with Man's Best Friend (Image 1 of 12).jpg

Lance Cpl. Cody Whitis, a Marine Corps dog handler, and an Arlington, Texas, native, and his military working dog, Gracie, catch up on some rest and relaxation aboard Forward Operating Base Geronimo, while waiting for a flight to Camp Dwyer, where they will receive advance training in explosive detection techniques. 2/3 is part of Regimental Combat Team-1, 2nd Marine Division (Forward). As part of counterinsurgency operations, military working dogs are trained to sniff out specific chemicals used in improvised explosives devices and drugs. Whitis, who is assigned to Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, stated after his tour in the Marine Corps, he plans to continue his college education in hopes of becoming an Emergency Medical Technician. The division, also known as Task Force Leatherneck, is serving as the ground combat element in southwest Afghanistan. The mission of the division is to partner with the Afghan National Security Forces and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to conduct counterinsurgency operations to secure the Afghan people, defeat insurgent forces, and enable ANSF assumption of security responsibilities within its area of operations in order to support the expansion of stability, development and legitimate governance. 2nd Marine Division Photo by Sgt. Earnest Barnes Date Taken:04.06.2011f Location:NAWA DISTRICT, AF