Buster has passed away.

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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3167039/War-hero-RAF-sniffer-dog-survived-five-tours-duty-saved-1-000-lives-dies-aged-13.html

A heroic military sniffer dog who saved more than 1,000 lives during five tours of duty has died at the age of 13.

Springer spaniel Buster earned a row of campaign medals for his service over the course of five tours of duty to Bosina, Iraq and Afghanistan.

After his glittering service with the RAF, Buster retired in 2011, and died on Thursday evening at the home of his handler, Flight Sergeant Will Barrow, in Lincolnshire.

Over the course of his career, Buster is thought to have saved more than 1,000 lives by sniffing out improvised explosive devices (IEDs), as well as weapons and other ammunition.

He also helped patrol British bases and search vehicles at check points, and upon retirement was made the official RAF Police mascot.

Buster's brave exploits were even documented in Flt Sgt Barrow's book, Buster: The dog who saved A Thousand Lives, which was published in January.

'It is with great sadness that Flight Sergeant Will Barrow from the RAF Police announces the death of his retired Arms and Explosive Search Dog, Buster,' the RAF said in a statement.

'Buster, a 13 year old Springer Spaniel passed away at the Barrow’s home in Lincolnshire where he had been enjoying retirement with handler Will, plus two canine companions.

'Buster completed five tours of duty in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Iraq and it was his exceptional efforts in these austere environments for which he will be remembered. It was the saving of countless lives by searching out IEDs that saw the honour of official lifetime mascot of the RAF Police bestowed upon Buster.

'Flight Sergeant Barrow documented his experiences with Buster into a best-selling book and as recently as this week, the inseparable pair were out promoting Buster’s service endeavours at a local school where they’d been invited to hand out end of year reports to the children.'

The RAF police are now planning to commemorate Buster as part of a special event to celebrate RAF Police Military Working Dogs.

After his glittering service with both the Army and the RAF, Buster retired in 2011, and died on Thursday at the home of his handler, Flight Sergeant Will Barrow (pictured with Buster in February), in Lincolnshire

He joined his comrades repeatedly on foot patrols through the poppy fields hunting Taliban insurgents and tracking down booby trap bombs left behind for British and American troops, as well as acting as a useful diplomatic tool, due to his friendly approach to local children.

Buster joined his comrades repeatedly on foot patrols through the poppy fields hunting Taliban insurgents and tracking down booby trap bombs left behind for British and American troops

'We soon had a long train of children in tow - like a canine Pied Piper, Buster drew in his crowd and entertained them,' Flt Sgt Barrow told the BBC.

'He saved my life every day we were together. I owe him so much.'

Buster undertook a four month tour of Iraq in 2009, before retiring to Lincoln with Flt Sgt Barrow, his wife Tracy and their two dogs - another springer spaniel and a German shepherd, in 2011.

Speaking at the time of Buster's retirement, Sgt Barrow had told how, even in the face of enemy attacks, Buster's unflappable composure held solid.

'Each time [we were attacked], Buster waited calmly for the action to cease, then carried on his search for improvised explosive devices, and keeping patrols safe,' he said.

But, like many military men, adapting to life away from the warzone has not proved easy.

'We had to teach Buster to play with the other dogs,' said Sergeant Barrow. 'When he was a working dog he only got toys when he made a find. And when he came home he collected up all the dogs’ toys and became very protective of them.'