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British Army dogs from St George’s Barracks, North Luffenham, fly in Wildcat helicopters




Dogs have been riding in helicopters as part of the military training they need to be combat ready.

Along with their handlers from 1st Military Working Dog Regiment, which is based at St George’s Barracks in North Luffenham, the patrol dogs boarded Wildcat helicopters during an exercise with Nato airborne forces in Estonia.

The aim was to expose the dogs to different methods of moving around the battlefield.

Private Dean leads Una away after a flight on a Wildcat helicopter
Private Dean leads Una away after a flight on a Wildcat helicopter

Veterinary officer Lieutenant Lucy Hardingham said: “It's really important for the dogs to have experienced what different vehicles sound like and feel like, especially helicopters, because they're very unnatural for a dog.

“We call it battle inoculation, just so that when they have to do it for real one day, they're not completely stressed out and not able to do their actual job afterwards.”

The dog regiment was working with 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team, the British Army’s global response force, as part of Steadfast Defender 24.

Dog handlers and their dogs wait to board Wildcat helicopters
Dog handlers and their dogs wait to board Wildcat helicopters

The British-led training in Estonia saw more than 2,300 soldiers, sailors, and aviators from four countries working together to build their ability to respond to crises.

The dogs went on patrol with British, US and Polish paratroopers, using their acute senses to detect the presence of enemy forces.

A dog’s bark can be enough to deter aggression and gain the initiative, while their athleticism and bite offers a non-lethal option to detain an intruder.

Private Amelie Phillips, 21, described herself as “a very proud parent” after a year as the handler of Davis, a three-year-old German Shepherd.

Private Dean and his dog Una on board a Wildcat helicopter
Private Dean and his dog Una on board a Wildcat helicopter

“It’s our first big exercise together and it took a lot of work to get him out here,” she said.

“When we started out he didn’t really have an off switch or know how to settle down around people.

“He was also very nervous about going to the vets, but we’ve worked through it together and he’s performing well. We’re a team.”

Private Dean, left, and his dog Una and Private Tiffany with Oscar
Private Dean, left, and his dog Una and Private Tiffany with Oscar

Lt Hardingham praised the human-canine partnership that delivers their capabilities.

She said: “I think some people underestimate how much it takes to get these dogs up to standard, and while it can take months to train a dog, to then keep that dog at a good level is a real skill too.

“The handlers put in a huge amount of effort and are very skilled – they are not only keeping up their own soldiering skills but doing that in partnership with a dog.”

Private Tiffany and his dog Oscar after disembarking a Wildcat helicopter
Private Tiffany and his dog Oscar after disembarking a Wildcat helicopter

Steadfast Defender 24 was NATO’s largest military exercise since the Cold War.

About 20,000 British personnel were among 90,000 troops from all 32 NATO allies training together to test plans to reinforce European defences.

Una, wearing a protective mask, waits to approach a Wildcat helicopter
Una, wearing a protective mask, waits to approach a Wildcat helicopter

1st Military Working Dog Regiment provides search and patrol dogs and veterinary capabilities to support military operations.



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