Let me tell you a story about a dog—a real dog. Not some pampered pooch in a purse, but a battle-tested, skydiving, snake-biting, rubble-digging warrior named Callie.
Callie wasn’t just any dog. She was the Department of Defense’s only certified search-and-rescue canine, serving with the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron. Over six years, she completed 15 military free-fall jumps, rappelled into disaster zones, and logged 750 flight hours. She faced floods, tornadoes, avalanches, and even a collapsed coal mine, always searching for survivors.
But her service came at a cost. She suffered multiple injuries: puncture wounds, a corneal abrasion, two knee injuries, and a near-fatal rattlesnake bite. Yet, she never quit.
Her handler, Master Sgt. Rudy Parsons, witnessed her determination firsthand. During a mission in Mayfield, Kentucky, after a devastating tornado, Callie searched through the rubble of a collapsed candle factory. Despite her underbelly and paws being torn to shreds, she kept working.
On January 24, 2025, Callie was officially retired during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base. She received a Meritorious Service Medal for her efforts. Parsons, too, is transitioning to a new role at the Air National Guard Readiness Center in Maryland.
Callie’s story isn’t just about a dog; it’s about unwavering commitment, resilience, and the unbreakable bond between a handler and his canine partner. She may have stowed her gear for the last time, but her legacy will inspire generations to come.
So, here’s to Callie—the dog who fell from the sky and landed in our hearts.