MWD Pito

MWD Pito (L-590)

Born in June 2006, MWD Pito (L-590) entered training at Lackland AFB in early 2008. His trainers saw it immediately—his independent spirit and ideal behaviors marked him for greatness. By May 2008, he had graduated from detection school, ready to serve.

Pito’s career was nothing short of legendary. Arriving at McGuire AFB in August 2008, he quickly field-certified as a Patrol Dog at Andrews AFB. His mission was massive: providing safety for over 44,000 personnel and safeguarding $8.1 billion in resources. His skills eventually took him to the highest levels of security, traveling the country with the U.S. Secret Service to protect the President and Vice-President.

Pito’s bravery knew no borders. He deployed to Iraq in 2009 (OIR) and Afghanistan in 2011 (OEF), serving on the front lines before returning home to his base.

On May 7, 2012, while doing the work he loved during a daily training exercise, Pito suffered a fatal heart attack. It was later discovered he had a congenital heart defect—one that experts said should have prevented him from surviving past puppyhood. But Pito was a fighter. He defied medical odds to live up to his name, which means “lucky, happy, and successful.”

He served with excellence until his very last breath. Rest well, good friend, until we see you again. Thank you for your service!

MWD Pito (L-590) was born in June 2006 and entered military training at Lackland AFB in January 2008. His trainer described him as independent, and exhibited ideal behaviors to become an excellent MWD. In May 2008, Pito graduated from detection school.

In August 2008, Pito arrived at his first duty station, known at that time as McGuire AFB in Wrightstown, NJ, as an Explosive Detection Dog. He entered into patrol training in Dec 2008 then on to temporary duty at Andrews AFB, MD to field-certify as a Patrol Dog. His job was to provide safety and security for more than $8.1 billion in resources and protection for more than 44 thousand personnel.

MWD Pito’s next assignment was with the USSS (United States Secret Service) and he traveled across the country providing secure travel accommodations for the President and Vice-President of the United States.

In 2009, Pito was deployed to Iraq in support of OIR (Operation Iraqi Freedom). In 2011, he was deployed to Afghanistan in support of OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom) and Pito returned to his home base later that year.

On May 7, 2012, while on a regular daily training exercise, Pito suffered a massive, fatal heart attack. His post-mortem indicated he had a congenital heart defect that had gone undetected during all of his previous exams. The Veterinary Corps determined Pito should not have survived past puppyhood, but he courageously defied the odds and lived up to the traits of his name- which means “lucky, happy, and successful.”

It is comforting to know he was doing the job he loved, and did so well, until his last breath. Rest well, good friend, until we see you again. Thank you for your service!

SSgt McKenna Price

United States Air Force