DOG-gone: military working dog Sonja leaves Team Tinker Published Dec. 11, 2008 By Danielle Gregory Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- Dogs are man's best friend, unless you are Military Working Dog Sonja. She is something more. She is also a wingman and now she's retiring. At the young age of 11, Sonja finished her Air Force career Monday. She has been a member of the Tinker family since January 1999, her entire life as a working dog. Unfortunately, her age and declining health concerns, hip and back problems, have pushed her into retirement. The Tinker K-9 handlers say she still has the heart of a puppy and will work until she "can't go anymore." Sonja's duties have been as an explosive detection and patrol dog. She has provided support to the president and vice president of the United States of America, foreign dignitaries, Operations Southern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sonja has been deployed five times to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and served two tours in Iraq. "During the work week there is a lot of training, but we manage to get some play time in," said Staff Sgt. Richard Duvall, Sonja's handler. "Working with them is awesome it's like taking your best friend to work with you every day." Air Force Instructions do not authorize K-9 handlers to award their partner's medals and awards, but if they were available she would have earned the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and a Meritorious Service Medal for her service upon retirement. Sonja will be replaced on the Tinker K9 unit, but it can take up to two years to replace a MWD due to the AFMC only getting a certain number of dogs per year. Sonja's retirement plans include guarding the couch, eating and sleeping. She will be adopted by Tech Sgt. Michael Jones, Tinker kennel master.