RAF Lossiemouth canine heroes Alfie and AJ earn 'Animals OBE'
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TWO of "RAF Lossiemouth's finest" – Military Working Dogs Alfie and AJ – are sitting proudly with their medals after receiving the animal equivalent of the OBE for their lifesaving work.
English springer spaniel Alfie and Labrador AJ were yesterday awarded the PDSA Order of Merit for their work between 2011-17 as part of 4 RAF Police (Typhoon) Squadron, which is based at RAF Lossiemouth.
The four-legged heroes are now retired.
They received their medals at RAF Honington from Provost Marshal (RAF) Group Captain Wilkinson, who said the dogs were a credit to the RAF.
He added: "Alfie and AJ were truly outstanding members of the team, performing impeccably during their careers.
"They regularly worked in challenging and dangerous situations but never faltering in their duty."
Alfie retired after completing more than 600 hours of operational searching, resulting in four, live high-profile finds of either arms, ammunition, explosives or bomb-making equipment.
AJ conducted more than 1000 search hours, resulting in eight live high-profile operational finds of arms, ammunition, explosives and bomb-making equipment. AJ also located four Improvised Explosive Devices and buried bomb-making equipment.
Alfie and AJ were highly regarded by their peers in the Ordnance Disposal teams and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Search Squadrons.
The PDSA Animal Awards aims to raise the status of animals in society and honour the contribution they make to people's lives.
