We’re top dog at biathlon

By CPL Simone Liebelt

SGT Norm Christopher takes his dog through obstacle course.

Photo by CPL Ro Burke.

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* Air Force has claimed the top five of the 12 trophies awarded at the military working dog biathlon. The biathlon followed a two-day seminar that included speakers from Vietnam tracking dog and platoon handlers.

UP AGAINST their Army counterparts, the Air Force’s top dogs have taken top honours at a military working dog biathlon. The biathlon was part of an annual dog handler’s convention, held for the first time at RAAF Base Amberley from March 16-20.

More than 80 representatives attended from the Air Force, Army, Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS), Australian Customs Service, NSW Correctional Services and the War Dogs Association.

In the biathlon, 29 dogs and their handlers were put to the test on a 3.5km obstacle course, which was divided into a dog and handler section.

On leash, the dogs made their way through obstacles, including a tunnel and fire hoop and were then placed into a dog box while their handlers negotiated an obstacle course including a chicane, maze, a water jump and six-foot scaling wall, before retrieving their dog and sprinting to the finish line.

MWD handler acting Warrant Officer Dave Towerton and his Belgian Malinois, Zena, completed the course in just over 14 minutes to take first place. Air Force claimed the top five of the 12 trophies awarded.

MWD instructor Sergeant Grant Teeboon said the biathlon was not only a great motivator for the handlers, but both entertaining and educational for spectators.

“The biathlon gave everybody a broad overview of the skill levels required of military working dogs and also showcased the fitness levels of the handlers,” he said.

The biathlon followed a two-day seminar, where subjects included the role of explosive detector dogs in the Solomons, the importation and exportation protocols of dogs, the integration of ADGs with MWDs and current deployment training and breeding methods.

“We had speakers from Vietnam tracker dog and platoon handlers to people who came back from Timor and the Solomons,” said SGT Teeboon.

“It was a good opportunity to compare notes and realise that some of the problems we had in Vietnam we’re still having now and some of the things we’re working on now were resolved way back then.

“Everyone was fascinated by some of the insights that came out, and we found ourselves rejuvenated from it.”

The convention concluded with a memorial service held by the Army Dog Trackers Association, where dogs that served in Timor and the Solomons were honoured for their service.

The dogs’ names were read out at the ceremony, after which two plaques were unveiled and the Last Post was played.

The memorial plaques will be placed at the War Dog Memorial statue at Alexandra Headlands.

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