President Donald Trump on Monday publicly introduced Conan, the dog that became a hero for its role in the US raid that led to the death of IS group leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
Conan, the dog, was introduced by Mr Trump as "probably the world's most famous dog" at the White House. He called the canine "so brilliant, so smart."
"The dog is incredible," Trump said at a brief ceremony as the Belgian Malinois sat beside him with a handler. Also present were First Lady Melania Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.
"He's the ultimate fighter," Mr Trump said.
"The ultimate everything," he added, "ultimate in terms of sniffing drugs."
Source: AAP
It comes after the president last month shared an altered photograph of himself placing a medal around the neck of the dog, which went viral.
In the original photo, Mr Trump is seen awarding a Medal of Honour to James C McCloughan, a retired Army medic who is credited with saving the lives of 10 men during the war in Vietnam.
The doctored image, released by Mr Trump via Twitter, and the original photo of the president awarding the Medal of Honour. Source: AP
Mr Trump said at Conan's actual ceremony, when he presented her with a certificate she - Conan - knew exactly what was going on.
US military dog Conan participated in the Baghdadi raid to kill ISIS leader. Source: AAP
In the raid last month, Conan chased al-Baghdadi into a dead-end tunnel in his Syrian hideout, where the cornered IS leader detonated a suicide vest, killing himself and two children, according to the US account.
Conan was injured by the electric cables exposed in the detonation but seems to have made a full recovery.
"Conan was very badly hurt, as you know. They thought maybe he was not going to recover. He recovered actually very quickly and has since gone on very important raids," Mr Trump said.
The dog's identity had been a closely guarded secret until it was declassified by Mr Trump, who retweeted a picture of the pooch after the raid at Baghdadi's lair.
Details about Conan's life, achievements and family background are scant, although he certainly comes from good stock: US Navy SEALs used a Belgian Malinois in the 2011 raid in Pakistan that killed Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
The head of US Central Command, General Kenneth McKenzie, has said Conan was a "critical member of our forces" and mentioned his impressive record of 50 combat missions in four years of service.
