Left: Military working dogs on operations. Note the female handler - it is a little known fact that women ARE serving in the front line, predominantly in this very important role. © Crown Copyright/MOD 2010

(Sorry about the title, my 'Sun' chip kicked in!) Anyroads, this news item actually goes back to July but it seems to have been hidden away and passed under everyone's radar - none the less it is very interesting and very important...

Janes Defence News:

A surge in operational demand for Military Working Dogs (MWDs) in Afghanistan led the British Army to create the 1st MWD Regiment on 26 March 2010. The primary operational role of the regiment is to support the lead brigade in Afghanistan, providing support for counterinsurgency (COIN) operations and IED detection. [Read more]

Copyright © IHS (Global) Limited, 2010

Consisting of 284 soldiers and 200 dogs the newly created 1st Military Working Dog Regiment will have an important part to play in the campaign in Afghanistan taking on COIN (Counter Insurgency) roles and the hunt for IEDs.

Commanding Officer 1 MWD Regt, Lt Col David Thorpe said:

"Military Working Dogs have been in the vanguard of recent and on-going operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and are a key force multiplier across the full spectrum of operations."

MoD News - 'New working dog regiment to support Afghan operations'
© Crown Copyright/MOD 2010

Above: Treo, an arms explosive search (AES) dog, received its Dickin Medal from HRH Princess Alexandra, the Hon. Lady Ogilvy KG GCVO at a ceremony held at the Imperial War Museum, London, on Wednesday 24 February 2010.  The eight-year-old black Labrador, accompanied by his handler Sergeant (Sgt) Dave Heyhoe, was awarded the medal, recognised as the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross (VC), for it’s actions on two separate incidents where it’s discovery of improvised explosive devices’ (IEDs) in Afghanistan saved the lives of both soldiers and civilians. The Dickin Medal was introduced by the founder of the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), Maria Dickin, in 1943 and Treo is the 63rd recipient. © Crown Copyright/MOD 2010

Dogs have always had an important part to play along side soldiers whether these be the magnificent working dogs mentioned above (and their brave handlers) or the camp stray that gives so much comfort to the men and women on the front line.

It's worth accompanying this small post by mentioning the campaign by Captain Sam Harvey - when her tour in Afghanistan ends she's hoping to take more than just memories home with her. She's trying to raise nine thousand pounds to bring two dogs - both patrol base mascots - back to the UK.

You can donate here www.justgiving.com/save-afghan-puppy-RPG

...Oh, and a PS - the reason I think it's important to think about what happens to solders dogs - be they working ones or mascots - after their war is over is because of the very sad story of the Vietnam War Dogs. In the Vietnam War, 281 dogs were officially listed as killed in action.  Almost all of the remaining thousands were euthanized (put down) after they had completed their service.