FEATURES
First RAF police dog R
In the heat of the Lincolnshire sun, RAF Police Military Working Dogs and their handlers from across the UK have been fighting it out to determine who is ‘top dog’.
oyal Air Force College Cranwell provided the prestigious backdrop for the Military Working Dog Trials,
an event that has not taken place for five years due to operational commitments. With an audience that included the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford, the pressure was certainly on for the competitors.
The trials are the culmination of months of technical evaluation carried out across the UK by
the Provost Marshal’s Dog Inspectors, with only 12 patrol dogs and their handlers making the grade to compete at these national finals.
Flight Sergeant Steven Hancox, Provost Marshal Dog Inspector, has been up and down the country since February leading the technical evaluations, he said: “This year is particularly special as we haven’t had the trials for a long time. It takes a lot of hard work to be selected to compete, so this event means an awful lot to everyone taking part. To win it is truly special.”
Three days worth of heats saw the dogs and their handlers put through their paces in three different disciplines – wind scent exercises, obedience and obstacles plus criminal workouts. The outcome of these heats whittled the 12 competitors down to five for the final.
In the arena, each pair set aside their nerves and exemplified the special bond that a dog and its handler shares and spectators were left in no doubt of their professionalism.
Following the months of preparation and the pressure of the finals, it was Corporal Stacey Graham and Air Dog Demon, stationed at RAF Coningsby, who took the coveted top spot as champions. Corporal Oli Griggs from RAF Brize Norton
Competition Time
was runner-up with Corporal Sam Plant from RAF Waddington taking third place.
A clearly delighted Corporal Graham said: “It feels fantastic! Being UK Champion is literally the one thing I’ve wanted since being on dogs – I’m really happy. I just burst out crying when my name was called and I heard all the cheers. I was massively overwhelmed – I still am!”
The RAF Police took the opportunity to present a host of other military working dog related trophies at the awards ceremony. The recipients of these awards were identified by the Provost Marshal Dog Inspectors through stringent assessment over the past year. • The Lady Kemball Trophy, for the top Arms and Explosives or Drug Detection Team was awarded to Corporal David Hoy and Air
8
Envoy Autumn 2015
A Judge Watches Closely
www.raf-ff.org.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56