Members of the U.S. Army Reserve reunited a dog with its owner during exercise Sentry South 26-2 at the Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Mississippi, on Feb. 28, 2026.

Sentry South 26-2 is a large-force employment exercise focused on major combat operations and joint maritime operations in a contested or degraded operational environment. It applies joint and combined warfighting doctrine against realistic, robust, integrated enemy threat systems, all while operating under safe, controlled conditions.

The 310th Psychological Operations Company, 352nd Civil Affairs Command, U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command, conducted range drills at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center during exercise Sentry South 26-2. Their training would take an unexpected detour when a hunting dog wandered onto the range.

First Sgt. Jonathan Merck says they saw what appeared to be an emaciated hunting dog, and immediately paused operations and jumped into action. The Soldiers moved the dog away from the operating area, and U.S. Air Force medics on site were notified and began assessing the dog, giving the canine a clean bill of health.

“Soldiers provided water, a tangerine, and the finest pizza MRE available,” Merck said.

Soldiers found the owner's information on the dog's collar, contacted him, and reunited Mr. Welborn with his beloved hunting dog. What was supposed to be a simple range drill turned into an opportunity to do the right thing. Had it not been for the brave actions of the 310th Psychological Operations Company, the dog might not have made it back home.

“Here at the 310th PSY-C, we are proponents for happy endings,” Merck said. “Reuniting the dog with his owner was just that.”