RNZAF DOG TEAM GRADUATE Aircraftman Gareth Havill and his Military Working Dog (MWD) Khan graduated Basic MWD Handler training at Royal New Zealand Air Force Base Auckland on 11 December in a ceremony presided over by Commanding Officer 209 Squadron, Wing Commander Darryl Cockroft. Aircraftman Havill and MWD Khan, a Dutch Shepherd/German Shepherd Cross, were paired on day one of the 12-week MWD Handler course and their graduation marked both the success of Aircraftman Havill as a new dog handler and MWD Khan as the youngest military working dog in Auckland. At the graduation, the duo demonstrated several of the techniques they learnt during the course, including obedience, agility and apprehension. For the partnership to be successful the handler and his dog need to have a great relationship, which is why they are paired at the start of the course and will remain as a working
A ceremony to mark the change of command of the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s 3 Squadron took place at RNZAF Base Ohakea on 18 December – bringing the entire rotary-wing transport force together under one banner. Chief of Air Force Air Vice-Marshal Mike Yardley said the integration cames as the new aircraft develop new capabilities. “The NH90 will now become responsible for search and rescue missions, casualty evacuation in association with search and rescue, as well as transport for NZ Police and other government and military personnel for national security requirements,” Air Vice-Marshal Yardley said. “The Iroquois have performed these tasks well for many years, but it is now time for the NH90 to become the primary aircraft for search and rescue and national security.”
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Photo by Corporal Maria Oosterbaan
team throughout Aircraftman Havill’s posting at the MWD Unit. Aircraftman Havill says he and Khan will join other MWD teams at Base Auckland whose primary role is to provide security for the aircraft and
facilities, both on base and while they are deployed. “Over Christmas Khan and I will start continuation training so we’re constantly improving our skills,” Aircraftman Havel said. “We’ll start doing activities such as building searches and tracking, which involves training Khan to locate personnel in buildings, and to follow the ground scent of someone evading on foot.” The Air Force maintains a specialist military working dog unit which is used for force protection – security of the air base and aircraft, and security of RNZAF units when deployed. In July last year the Air Force deployed three handlers and their dogs to Exercise Pitch Black in Darwin, Australia – training that simulates reallife operations and ensures the dogs can perform away from home. Aircraftman Havill said he was looking forward to the opportunity of deploying with MWD Khan in the future.
Wing Commander Marcel Scott hands over the 3 Squadron Penant to Wing Commander Scott McKenzie. Photo by Corporal Brad Hanson
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