Hello and welcome to a reading from The Taliban – Afghanistan’s Most Lethal Insurgent Group, written by Mark Silinsky and published by Praeger, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing in New York, New York. This reading is brought to you by Kensington Security Consulting, where we bring education to national security.
Profile 17: Best Friends and Broken Hearts in the Afghan Hurt Locker
Two Britons, Liam and Theo, were partners in a particularly dangerous assignment. They were counter-IED specialists whose mission was to find hidden IEDs planted by the Taliban. This required steady nerves and precision. The two had undergone rigorous, specialized training before serving together. Although they shared much beyond their courage, they were also physically quite different. Lance Cpl. Liam Tasker was a Scottish-born soldier in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, and Theo was a Springer Spaniel. They were also best friends.
The two were inseparable, hunting for roadside bombs in Helmand province. Once, Theo discovered a Taliban underground facility where IEDs were probably made. They set a record for finding the most weapons and bombs in Afghanistan. They loved each other. Tasker’s father recalled, "Theo would sleep at the bottom of his (Tasker’s) bed, but he would wait until he thought Liam was asleep and then get in beside him." They slept together, lived together, and worked together. They both died on the same day in Afghanistan.
The UK Ministry of Defence issued the following statement: “On 1 March 2011, LCpl Tasker was participating in a patrol with his dog, Theo, when they were engaged by small arms fire, during which LCpl Tasker was struck and died from his injuries. Sadly, on return to Camp Bastion, Theo suffered a seizure and died.
Earlier, Liam had nominated his partner for a special medal of valor for combat animals. Liam’s mother said, "Liam was so proud of Theo. He was his world. I treasure the letter he wrote recommending him for the medal." Their remains returned to Britain together on the same flight. Theo’s ashes were handed to Liam’s girlfriend, Leah. Both Liam and Theo were remembered with love and respect by their unit’s soldiers. One soldier said, “Theo and LCpl Tasker did a brave job together in Afghanistan and … saved a lot of lives.” British Defence Secretary Dr. Liam Fox added that Britain will be “eternally grateful.” Liam’s mother expressed her gratitude for the love Theo gave her son, but she remains unsure whether her boy’s best friend died of a seizure. “He and Theo had a very special bond. They worked together and died together.” Tasker’s mother believes Theo “died of a broken heart.”
Unlike Theo, most dogs deployed in Afghanistan come home safely. Courageous canines, like their human comrades, are recognized for valor in Britain. Treo, not to be confused with Theo from Profile 17, is an 8-year-old black Labrador who received the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross for bravery in Afghanistan on February 25, 2010. Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra presented Treo with the medal at the Imperial War Museum. The citation praised Treo “for his gallantry in saving countless human lives. He continued his duties despite the dangers and, in the process, saved many lives." Treo is also the subject of a biography written by his owner.
Since 2012, American and British forces have increased their use of dogs to detect explosives. As one handler said, “If something is not supposed to be in the ground, a dog will find it." The U.S. Army also uses dogs in Afghanistan. The “Houn Dawg,” 203rd Engineer Battalion, Missouri National Guard’s explosive detection team, has cleared about 75 percent of the IEDs in their area. They sometimes receive K9 support, but often rely on route clearance equipment and ground troops.
Profile 18: Collin J. Bowen—“He Went to Afghanistan to Protect the Land”
“It's been 3 yrs, Bud… you will never be forgotten.” — SFC Carl Olney
If he hadn’t been in his vehicle on Khost Road on January 2, 2008, he probably would have been home, safe, two weeks later. His wife and children eagerly awaited his return. His home was in Maryland, where the 38-year-old Staff Sgt. Collin J. Bowen had earned his computer science degree, hunted, fished, and raised his family. He loved the Army, especially teaching computer skills to eager Afghan soldiers. A natural teacher and a warm man, he completed his first combat deployment and signed up for another. Very popular with children, Collin loved giving out candy, pencils, and trinkets to street kids, who would smile and rush along with their gifts.
He finished his last mission and was 6 miles from his base when his vehicle was blown up by a roadside bomb. He sustained burns over 50% of his body, but was expected to survive. With a breathing tube in his throat, he was sent home. After the attack, he couldn’t talk, but on good days he could lift his fingers to signal that he understood some words. Unfortunately, his injuries were too severe, and multiple infections proved lethal. He passed away after 13 surgeries in March 2008 and was buried at Arlington. Posthumously, he was promoted to E7.
His sacrifice was honored by the People’s Burn Foundation, which awarded him the True Blue Award for loyalty after his death. They quoted the Greeks: "all men have fears… but the brave put down their fears and go forward… sometimes to death… but always to victory."
