royal australian air force (raaf) dogs photos for memories pages/aust wa… · australian ilitary...

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Australian Military Working Dog Tribute Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dogs The two main breeds of military working dogs used by the RAAF are the German Shepherd and the Belgian Shepherd Malinois. The dogs are often from Air Force’s own breeding program, and members of the public can volunteer to foster Air Force puppies. Dogs and handlers are carefully matched to ensure they can work well together. Once matched, handlers and their dogs work together to maintain a high standard of fitness and training. Both handlers and their dogs are tested regularly to ensure they are ready to deploy at any time. Handlers are responsible for the care and welfare of their dog on a daily basis, including feeding their dog and cleaning their kennels. Over time, they form a very strong bond. Where possible, military work dogs will retire to their handler’s home at the end of their Air Force service and a number of checks are undertaken to ensure the dog can enjoy a happy and healthy retirement after their loyal service. RAAF – Military Working Dog Timeline 1943 Dogs first introduced into the RAAF 1954 No 2 Central Reserve, Ettamogah NSW 1955 The Centre was moved to No 1. Stores Depot, RAAF Tottenham, Victoria. 1956 It became established as RAAF Police Dog Training Centre 1958 Formal Police Dog/Security Guard training courses were introduced 1958 The first course was conducted from 5th May to 10th July 1958 1958 Seven RAAF personnel passed the course on 28th November 1958. 1962 The trade mustering of “Security Guard” (SGuard) was officially introduced 1962 No 1 Security Guard Course graduated 1969 The Police Dog Training Centre was re-located to 7SD Toowoomba 1969 No 14 Security Guard Course, graduated in April 1969. 1970 The first RAAF Police Dogs and handlers arrived at Air Base Butterworth, Malaysia 1970’s Scout dogs were introduced into the RAAF 1972 A Security Guard Advanced course was introduced 1982 Section Management Course was introduced 1972 Drug Detector Dogs were introduced 1973/74 The first RAAF Police Dogs and handlers arrived in Singapore 1982 RAAF Security and Fire School was formed 1983 The RAAF Dog and Handlers withdrew from Singapore 1985 Security Guard mustering came under the Provost Marshal Air Force 1985 The first female Police Dog Handler entered the Mustering 1986 Security Guard Training Flight moved to RAAF Amberley to become part of the Police and Security Service Training Flight. 1986 Security Guards underwent an official name change to Police Dog Handler (POLDOGH). 1994 The Police Dog Handler mustering underwent a further change and became incorporated into the RAAF Police mustering with all handlers being renamed RAAF Police. (RAAFPOL) 1997 The RAAF Police Dog and Handlers withdrew from Air Base Butterworth, Malaysia. 1997 RAAF Dog Handlers, Police and Police Investigators were mustered under RAAF Security Police. Dog Handlers now became RAAF Security Police with the annotation ‘MWDS’ for Military Working Dog Specialists. 2006 The graduation of ‘Course 100’ 2008 Change to the mustering name from RAAF Police Dog Handlers to Military Working Dog Handlers 2013 The amalgamation of the three musterings, Airfield Defence Guards, Military Working Dog Handlers and the ADF Fire Fighters took place. They now all come under the one heading of Air Force Security (AFSEC) Today the RAAF bread their own Belgium and German Shepherd dogs at RAAFSFS Amberley for the purpose to become Military Working Dogs for the Royal Australian Air Force. RAAF dogs and their handlers are responsible for providing security, crime prevention patrols, emergency response and intruder detection, both on RAAF Bases and in deployed locations around the world. Acknowledgments: Royal Australian Air Force Dog Handlers Association and Ray Thomas

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Page 1: Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dogs Photos for Memories pages/Aust Wa… · Australian ilitary oring Dog riute Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dogs The two main breeds of military

Australian Military Working Dog Tribute

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dogs

The two main breeds of military working dogs used by the RAAF are the German Shepherd and the Belgian Shepherd Malinois.

The dogs are often from Air Force’s own breeding program, and members of the public can volunteer to foster Air Force puppies.

Dogs and handlers are carefully matched to ensure they can work well together. Once matched, handlers and their dogs work together to maintain a high standard of fitness and training.

Both handlers and their dogs are tested regularly to ensure they are ready to deploy at any time.

Handlers are responsible for the care and welfare of their dog on a daily basis, including feeding their dog and cleaning their kennels. Over time, they form a very strong bond.

Where possible, military work dogs will retire to their handler’s home at the end of their Air Force service and a number of checks are undertaken to ensure the dog can enjoy a happy and healthy retirement after their loyal service.

RAAF – Military Working Dog Timeline

1943 Dogs first introduced into the RAAF

1954 No 2 Central Reserve, Ettamogah NSW

1955 The Centre was moved to No 1. Stores Depot, RAAF Tottenham, Victoria.

1956 It became established as RAAF Police Dog Training Centre

1958 Formal Police Dog/Security Guard training courses were introduced

1958 The first course was conducted from 5th May to 10th July 1958

1958 Seven RAAF personnel passed the course on 28th November 1958.

1962 The trade mustering of “Security Guard” (SGuard) was officially introduced

1962 No 1 Security Guard Course graduated

1969 The Police Dog Training Centre was re-located to 7SD Toowoomba

1969 No 14 Security Guard Course, graduated in April 1969.

1970 The first RAAF Police Dogs and handlers arrived at Air Base Butterworth, Malaysia

1970’s Scout dogs were introduced into the RAAF

1972 A Security Guard Advanced course was introduced

1982 Section Management Course was introduced

1972 Drug Detector Dogs were introduced

1973/74 The first RAAF Police Dogs and handlers arrived in Singapore

1982 RAAF Security and Fire School was formed

1983 The RAAF Dog and Handlers withdrew from Singapore

1985 Security Guard mustering came under the Provost Marshal Air Force

1985 The first female Police Dog Handler entered the Mustering

1986 Security Guard Training Flight moved to RAAF Amberley to become part of the Police and Security Service Training Flight.

1986 Security Guards underwent an official name change to Police Dog Handler (POLDOGH).

1994 The Police Dog Handler mustering underwent a further change and became incorporated into the RAAF Police mustering with all handlers being renamed RAAF Police. (RAAFPOL)

1997 The RAAF Police Dog and Handlers withdrew from Air Base Butterworth, Malaysia.

1997 RAAF Dog Handlers, Police and Police Investigators were mustered under RAAF Security Police. Dog Handlers now became RAAF Security Police with the annotation ‘MWDS’ for Military Working Dog Specialists.

2006 The graduation of ‘Course 100’

2008 Change to the mustering name from RAAF Police Dog Handlers to Military Working Dog Handlers

2013 The amalgamation of the three musterings, Airfield Defence Guards, Military Working Dog Handlers and the ADF Fire Fighters took place. They now all come under the one heading of Air Force Security (AFSEC)

Today the RAAF bread their own Belgium and German Shepherd dogs at RAAFSFS Amberley for the purpose to become Military Working Dogs for the Royal Australian Air Force.

RAAF dogs and their handlers are responsible for providing security, crime prevention patrols, emergency response and intruder detection, both on RAAF Bases and in deployed locations around the world.

Acknowledgments: Royal Australian Air Force Dog Handlers Association and Ray Thomas