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| MAN'S BEST FRIEND: Corporal Steve Hood with his sniffer dog Bronny |
A SOLDIER and his search dog are sniffing out weapons, explosives and drugs in the fight to restore order to the remote deserts of Southern Afghanistan.
Corporal Steve Hood, aged 22, from Breightmet, works hand in paw' with his six-year-old Labrador partner Bronny.
Together they search for hidden guns and ammunition that could be used by Taliban insurgents.
Former Withins School pupil Steve joined the Army in 2001 and is now a trained dog handler with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps based in Camp Bastion in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. An experienced soldier he is currently in the middle of a six-month tour of duty - his fourth.
He said: "I helped train Bronny and we've been a team now for almost four years. It is a very challenging job but very rewarding as well - I really enjoy working with animals and helping to find weapons and explosives that could be used against our troops is very satisfying work."
Normally based in Germany, Steve has already served in Northern Ireland and Iraq.
Dogs such as Bronny are playing a key role in helping protect troops who are helping rebuild the shattered region.
Major Chris Ham, of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, based in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan said: "These are highly trained working dogs and they have an important job to do, doing everything from helping guard bases to searching for booby traps and searching for explosives and illicit drugs. They have undoubtedly helped save lives."
More than 7,000 British troops are in Afghanistan as part of an international coalition, backed by the UN, to help support the democratically elected Afghan government.
