Military Working Dogs Archives

Sapper Dean Purcell and explosive detection dog Ledge before a morning run at the School of Military Engineering at Holsworthy. Story by Leading Seaman Nadav Harel.

Explosive detection dogs have a blast on the job

04/07/202504/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 506 Views 0 Comments 1st Combat Engineer Regiment, EDD, Holsworthy Barracks, improvised explosive device (IED), Military Working Dogs, School of Military Engineering

Sapper Dean Purcell starts the day with a smile. CAPTION: Sapper Dean Purcell and explosive detection dog Ledge before a morning

Aviators from 2 Security Forces Squadron disembark from a Bushmaster during a live-fire section attack activity as part of Exercise Crack Thump 3 at Singleton Military Area. Photos by Corporal Michael Rogers.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Capability combined for airfield security

25/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 951 Views 0 Comments Exercise Crack Thump, Exercise Nomad Walk, Military Working Dogs, No. 2 Security Forces Squadron, Singleton, Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS)

An air traffic control tower (ATC) had been taken by enemy forces. The flight of armed Air Force security forces

Military Working Dog Handlers from RAAF Base Tindal, Corporal Jesse Beard (Left) with his dog Xon and Corporal Natasha Blackman with her dog Onix at the Australian International Airshow 2025. Story by Flight Lieutenant Sharon Sebastian. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

ADF People Royal Australian Air Force

Dogs truly are a handler’s best friend

27/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1431 Views 0 Comments Australian International Airshow, Military Working Dogs, No. 17 Squadron, RAAF Tindal

Military working dog, Onix, and handler are stealing the spotlight at their first Australian International Airshow with a crowd pleasing

Retired Australian Army combat assault dogs Aslan, left, and Manic, of the 2nd Commando Regiment, receive the inaugural Australian Animal Distinguished Service Award at the Australian War Memorial. Story and photos by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

ADF ADF People Veterans

Commando canines honoured for service

28/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1772 Views 0 Comments 2nd Commando Regiment, Australian Animal Distinguished Service Award, aww, Dogs of Valour, Middle East Region, Military Working Dogs, Purple Popply Day, Service Dogs

A retired combat assault dog named Manic, who served with the 2nd Commando Regiment in Iraq, received a new award

Private Daniel Mooney and military police dog Beretta during the Military Working Dog Handler Basic Course at RAAF Security and Fire School, RAAF Base Amberley, Ipswich. Story by Captain Nigel Jacobs. Photos by Lance Corporal Luke Donegan.

Australian Army News

Graduates a boost for police dog capability

27/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 924 Views 0 Comments 1st Military Police Battalion, Military Working Dogs, RAAF Amberley

Army’s military police dog capability has been boosted with the graduation of five handlers. CAPTION: Private Daniel Mooney and military police

Air Force military working dog handler, Leading Aircraftman James Reid from 1 Security Forces Squadron, and retired military working dog Drak, at RAAF Base Williamtown. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan. Photo byLeading Aircraftman Kurt Lewis.

ADF People Royal Australian Air Force

Military dog finds furever home with best friend

25/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 845 Views 0 Comments Military Working Dogs, No. 1 Security Forces Squadron., RAAF Williamtown

Military working dog, Malinois Drak, was officially partnered with his handler Leading Aircraftman James Reid when they graduated their military

Private Riley Mayne and military police dog Deek prepare to apprehend a decoy during the Military Working Dog Handler Basic Course. Story by Major Evita Ryan. Photos by Lance Corporal Luke Donegan.

ADF People Australian Army

Dux praises his canine companion

03/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1724 Views 0 Comments 1st Military Police Battalion, Military Police Dog, Military Working Dogs, RAAF Amberley

In just four months, Private Riley Mayne and MPD Deek developed a bond most dog lovers can only dream of.

Military working dog 'Kuga' in Tarin Kowt, Uruzgan, Afghanistan. SOTG photo.

Australian Veterans

Remembering SAS hero dog Kuga

17/07/202421/07/2024 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3337 Views 0 Comments Military Working Dogs

Belgian Mallinois Kuga saved lives in Afghanistan but paid the ultimate price, succumbing to war wounds on 24 July 2012.

Australian Army News

DOGS OF VALOUR – War Documentary on Military Working Dogs

10/06/202410/06/2024 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2709 Views 0 Comments Dogs of Valour, Military Working Dogs

DOGS OF VALOUR is a new documentary movie about war dogs risking life and limb to protect ‘their pack’, set

Sapper Ian Moss and his explosive detection dog Flo Joe, carefully make their way across a field in search of improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan in 2012. Story by Leading Seaman Nadav Harel. Photo by Sergeant Raymond Vance.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News Videos

Remembering a four-legged warrior

07/06/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2087 Views 0 Comments Military Working Dogs

June 7 is National Military Working Dog Day, when Defence honours the loyalty and commitment of four-legged friends who’ve served

Flight Lieutenant Nick Adam, left, Squadron Leader Andrew Marks from 3 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and Captain Alexandra Blecich from 2nd Health Brigade, assist 'Hero', a technical training aid, during a critical care aeromedical evacuation scenario. Story by Corporal Melina Young. Photos by Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

Australian Army Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Air Force

Taking military dog care to great heights

10/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1338 Views 0 Comments 2nd Health Brigade, C-17A Globemaster III, military critical care aeromedical evacuation team (MCAT), Military Working Dogs, No. 3 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (3AMES), RAAF Amberley

A military working dog and two handlers lie motionless on stretchers near the ramp of a C-17 Globemaster. CAPTION: Flight Lieutenant Nick

A keen-eyed pup participates in a working-dog seminar with the NZDF, other NZ-government dog agencies and overseas militaries.

New Zealand News

NZ working-dog seminar a howling success

21/04/202421/04/2024 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1826 Views 0 Comments Military Working Dogs

A seminar on training working dogs wrapped up at Trentham recently after hosting around 170 dog handlers from government and

A 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment soldier assists a simulated casualty during an urban breaching exercise at Townsville Field Training Area. Story and photo by Corporal Luke Bellman.

Australian Army News

Exercise an assault on engineers’ senses

22/03/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1934 Views 0 Comments 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment, Military Working Dogs, Urban Operations Training Facility

Booby traps, enemy fire and a simulated canine casualty confronted sappers from the 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment after they blasted

RAAF military working dog, Zlo, during the trilateral security forces subject matter expertise exchange at Iruma Air Base, Japan. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell.

Japan News Royal Australian Air Force

New milestone for trilateral security forces

02/02/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1908 Views 0 Comments Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Military Working Dogs, No. 13 Squadron, US Air Force

An Air Force military working dog’s (MWD) first trip to Japan has marked a significant step in Australia’s commitment to

RAAF military working dog handlers from 2SECFOR and their explosive detection dogs: (l-r) Sergeant Marc Douglas with Ollie, Leading Aircraftman Michael Robertson with Piper, and Corporal Alex Randles with Rex. All photos by Warrant Offer Class Two Kim Allen.

Australian Army Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force

Honouring our four-legged heroes

28/06/202308/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1931 Views 0 Comments Explosive Detection Dogs, Military Working Dogs, No. 2 Security Forces Squadron, RAAF Amberley

Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force personnel have participated in a service to honour the loyalty and commitment of

Army Sapper Flynn Skerke-Erwin, of the 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment, with trainee explosive detection dogs Joey, left, and Ash. Story and photo by Warrant Officer Class 2 Max Bree.

ADF People

Following in uncle’s paw prints

24/03/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2780 Views 0 Comments 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment, Military Working Dogs

Twelve-week-old Joey is a high-energy and inquisitive kelpie pup, but 3 Combat Engineer Regiment’s newest recruit has some big paws

An Air Force C-130J Hercules at the Wings Over Illawarra air show 2022. Story by Flight Lieutenant Nicholas O’Connor. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Chris Tsakisiris.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy Videos

RAAF wows Illawarra air-show crowds

18/11/202222/11/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1584 Views 0 Comments Air Force Band, Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles, C-130J Hercules, DHC-4 Caribou, EC-135, F-35A Lightning II, Military Working Dogs, No. 100 Squadron, PC-21, Roulettes, Wings Over Illawarra

The might of Australian military aviation was on show at the 2022 Wings Over Illawarra Air Show, held at Shellharbour

Private Stephen Kennedy and Military Police Dog Razor demonstrating a muzzle strike as one of their capabilities. Story and photo by Captain Thomas Kaye.

Australian Army News Videos

Military police welcome new hounds and handlers

23/10/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2227 Views 0 Comments Military Police Dog, Military Working Dogs

In September, four new pairings completed their training to become qualified military police dog (MPD) teams. CAPTION: Private Stephen Kennedy

Explosive Detection Dog Archie from the 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment undergoes agility training on 20 September 2022 at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville. Story by Captain Diana Jennings. Photo by Brigadier Guy Sadler.

Australian Army News

Teaching dogs to detect and protect

05/10/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1658 Views 1 Comment 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment, Army Explosive Detection Dogs, Lavarack Barracks, Military Working Dogs

With tails wagging and snouts at the ready, explosive detection dogs (EDDs) are more than just cute faces. These canines

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, prepare to conduct wet and dry exercise rehearsals, during Exercise Sea Raider 2022 near Cowley Beach, Queensland. Story by Captain Joanne Leca. Photo by Corporal Cameron Pegg.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Navy Videos

An amphibious force to be reckoned with

30/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 3249 Views 1 Comment AAF, ARH Tiger, Boxer CRV, CH-47F Chinook, Exercise Sea Raider, HMAS Adelaide, M777 Howitzer, Military Working Dogs

The 2022 Sea Series has come to a close with the completion of Exercise Sea Raider. CAPTION: Soldiers from the

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