RAAF Dog Handlers

Protection with Bite

With a howl and a growl the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base in Darwin, ramps-up it security and prowls the flight line protecting over 60 Australian and international aircraft gathered for this years largest Air Force Exercise Pitch Black 08.

We see a 'beware of' military working dogs sign hangs as a warning for those without permission to be there prior to the showing of RAAF Base Darwin's newest recruits. Puppies, Rocco and Rocket are here at RAAF Base Darwin as part of an in-house breeding program developed by the RAAF Base in Amberley.

A day off is not a day away from your mate, as Military Working Dog Handlers (MWDH) come in to exercise and train their dogs. The skill and agility is displayed as the handler and his dog run through a variety of obstacles.

A peek into the kennel gives us an insight of why we should only come in escorted as the dogs are not used to company except that of their handlers.

As the sun goes down and aircrew depart so begins the shift of the MWDH and the security teams on RAAF Base Darwin. After a quick brief by the section commander the team load up their dogs onto specially made vehicle cages and work begins.

Its dinner time for the troops as precise measures are made and a line of bowls are filled.

The camera follows the team out on patrol as they make a routine stop and perform an 'intruder simulation' before a P3C Orion aircraft. A lone person walks the tarmac as the MWD picks up the scent and alerts his handler. The MWDH is quick to respond as his experience and training begin to unfold. A warning is shouted for the intruder to 'stop or my dog will attack', thinking he can outrun the dog he breaks like a shot...but he is no match for the four legged weapon and 'Wasabi' sinks his teeth deep into the flesh of the intruders arm. Not having enough the intruder attempts to break away from the arrest and attack the handler, but 'Wasbi' is watching his every move and before he can complete his action he attacks! The bad guy, learning his lesson, is carted away.

Following the demonstration a team of 6-8 MWDH patrolling past the F-16s parked on the tarmac ever watchful and vigilant of the duty to protect the multi-million dollar aircraft they're responsible for.

If you dare, a close up shows you just how aggressive and MWD can be as they demonstrate for the camera a 'challenge' before doing a lap past an illuminated F-16 at rest in the still of the night.

RAAF Pitch Black 08 is the major RAAF exercise of the year and will involve the largest number of foreign nations participating in the Exercise to date.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• ADF
• Australian
• Defence
• Force
• Exercise
• Pitch
• Black
• 2008
• RAAF
• Dog
• Handlers
• Military
• Working
• Dogs