Incirlik members honor fallen SFS defender Published March 3, 2010 By Senior Airman Alex Martinez 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- Friends, handlers and fellow military working dogs gathered Feb. 25 at a memorial service for Ronnie, a 39th Security Forces Squadron MWD who died Jan. 10 due to health complications. Nine-year-old Ronnie was a member of the 39th SFS for eight years, and has served the wing and its geographically separated units in a number of capacities, including drug prevention efforts and presidential security details. Staff Sgt. Matthew Clark, 39th SFS military working dog handler, said he was very fortunate to have worked with Ronnie. "Anything you would want [Ronnie] to do, he would do it," Sergeant Clark said. "You couldn't ask for anything better. " Sergeant Clark was Ronnie's handler from August 2008 to August 2009. Speakers highlighted Ronnie's dedicated service, his funny and upbeat personality, the importance of MWDs and the strong bond shared between handlers and their MWD partners. "It's important to remember Ronnie, his service and the funny things he did," said Lt. Col. Glen Christensen, 39th SFS commander during the memorial service. "It's also important to remember the service you all give as well." The memorial service included an Air Force Commendation Medal presentation in which Ronnie was awarded, a 21-gun salute, a presentation giving Ronnie his last commands and a poem reading. A plaque for Ronnie joined 20 other plaques dedicated to fallen Incirlik MWDs all displayed on the grounds of the 39th SFS MWD section.