Patrol dog handler Corporal Jacqui Stewart has kept a careful watch around Basrah International Airport with the other half of her team, air dog 'Dusty'.
Cpl Stewart, aged 23, is based at RAF Cottesmore, but went out to Iraq in March 2009 as part of the Theatre Military Working Dogs Support Unit. She said:
"The base has been an interesting place to work and live. Being one of the last Brits to serve here after six years of UK presence makes me very proud."
Cpl Stewart has worked with Dusty since September 2008, both coming straight out of training and learning the job together.
A six-year-old German Shepherd, Dusty's RAF records describe him as 'a confident dog with bags of personality':
"He is strong and aggressive when he needs to be," Cpl Stewart added, "but sometimes he will just lie on his back wanting to have his tummy rubbed!"
Also in Iraq with Cpl Stewart and Dusty are colleagues from RAF stations Coningsby, Northolt, Leuchars and Lyneham, co-ordinated by Headquarters RAF Police at RAF Henlow, Bedfordshire.
Sergeant Michael 'Will' Barrow from RAF Waddington has already served in Afghanistan with partner 'Buster', an air dog specialist in firearms and explosives:
"Buster and I trained every day," he explained. "Our job in Iraq was to go out on patrols with the RAF Police, searching for unexploded munitions, hidden weapons or roadside bombs - anything that could hurt our troops or the local people."
As the team prepares to come home, the dogs will get some well-earned rest and recuperation, just the same as their human handlers. Sgt Barrow and Buster are used to the process:
"Because of the quarantine restrictions in the UK, Buster has to spend six months in Cyprus, and he does that after every tour of duty. It's the perfect way for him to unwind," said Sgt Barrow.
"I always offer to stay there with him, but for some reason, the RAF send me straight back to the UK!"
Military working dogs enter RAF service between the ages of 18 months and three years. Providing they are fit and healthy, dogs can serve until they are approximately nine or ten years old. During their working career the dogs are employed with specific specialisations, dependent on the breed of dog.
All RAF dog handlers go through basic police training before proceeding onto a military working dog course.
RAF dog handlers can specialise in several areas including firearms and explosives, and vehicle or drug search roles, as well as carrying out patrol duties in the UK and overseas.
The length of time a handler will work with one dog will depend on when and if they specialise - generally a handler can work with a dog for three years.
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