RAF Honington is hosting the prestigious 2025 RAF Police Military Working Dog Trials starting on the 21 Sep 25, as ten specialist teams from bases across the UK and Cyprus compete for the coveted ‘Top Dog’ title.
The competing teams, representing RAF Akrotiri, Brize Norton, Coningsby, Lossiemouth, Marham, and Odiham will face rigorous testing across multiple operational scenarios designed to showcase their tactical capabilities.
Throughout the week-long event, handler and dog partnerships will be evaluated on essential military skills including:
• Agility and obedience under pressure
• Threat assessment during both daylight and night-time patrol operations
• Advanced detection capabilities using the dogs natural wind scenting ability
• Intruder apprehension techniques
“These trials serve as both inspiration and practical development for our handler-dog teams. The competition drives our personnel to sharpen their operational skills while building confidence that translates directly to real-world security operations and transition to conflict. It’s also a chance for us to demonstrate the exceptional capabilities and commitment of our RAF Police teams and their canine partners.”
Provost Marshal Dog Inspector Warrant Officer Claire Bullen
After initial elimination rounds, the top-performing teams will advance to the championship finale, where they’ll face their ultimate test before distinguished guests including Commander Global Enablement Air Commodore Paul Hamilton and Provost Marshal (RAF) Group Captain Samantha Bunn.
The RAFP Military Working Dog Trials exemplify the fundamental bond between handlers and their four-legged colleagues—a partnership that embodies RAF core values while inspiring current and future generations to pursue operational excellence.
Military Working Dogs serve as force multipliers for RAF Police operations, providing capabilities that even cutting-edge technology cannot match. Their extraordinary sensory abilities make them invaluable assets in protecting personnel and maintaining security across RAF installations.
The 2025 RAF Police Military Working Dog Trials champion will be announced on Friday, 26 September 2025.
Stay updated: Follow RAF Police on Facebook and Instagram for daily competition coverage.
