Please Welcome MWD Penge (A160) #376

Please welcome Retired Military Working Dog “Penge” (A160) into our Project K-9 Hero Pack as our 376th Program Member.

MWD Penge was retired recently from the United States Air Force due to long-term medical issues stemming from osteoarthritis with joint effusion, hip dysplasia, and arthritis.

However, a history of behavioral issues, specifically severe muzzle and food pan aggression, hindered the ability to safely transport him, resulting in his inability to be adopted out to the general public.

We at Project K-9 Hero were notified by his leadership that, “If we cannot find an opportunity for him, the only other option is to be humanely euthanized with our U.S. Army Veterinarian Clinic here on island, which are trying our absolute best to avoid. Please help us give Penge the retirement life he deserves after his years of dedicated service to our nation’s military and his former handlers.”

We as an organization knew we needed to step in and SAVE PENGE’S LIFE! Our K-9 Rehabilitation Specialists worked directly with the Kennel Master for the last three months to secure Penge a spot at our Rehabilitation & Rehoming Facility, and work out the logistics of his transport from the other side of the globe to Tennessee.

MWD Penge served honorably as a Dual-Purpose Patrol/Narcotics Detection Dog in the United States Air Force for seven years, from 2018 -2025, at Kadena Air Base Okinawa, Japan  with the 18th Security Forces Squadron. MWD Penge was instrumental in helping defend U.S. and Japanese interests, maintain regional stability, and ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. Penge’s duties help secure the base, which consists of 4,900 acres of land and a 6,300-acre munitions area, including a major airfield, extensive support facilities for personnel, and our strategic hub for aircraft refueling.