‘Outstanding’ RAF Police Dogs to be honoured with ‘animals’ OBE’

11 August 2021

Alfie and AJ awarded PDSA Order of Merit for exceptional contribution to society

Two Royal Air Force Police Dogs were honoured today (11 August 2021) by leading vet charity, PDSA, for their career of exemplary service to society.

English Spaniel, Alfie, and Labrador, AJ, who both served in Number 4 RAF Police (Typhoon) Squadron for six years, regularly operating in dangerous environments, locating arms, ammunitions and explosives, received the PDSA Order of Merit* – the animal equivalent of the OBE.

The now-retired duo were joined by Provost Marshal (RAF), Group Captain David Wilkinson, to formally receive their prestigious Medals. The video of Alfie and AJ’s story can be viewed here.

Commenting on the awards, PDSA Director General, Jan McLoughlin, said: “It is with great pride that we award Alfie and AJ the PDSA Order of Merit today. They have both had exemplary careers, playing a pivotal role in the vital work of the RAF Squadron and providing outstanding service to society.

“Through the PDSA Animal Awards programme we seek to raise the status of animals in society and honour the incredible contribution they make to our lives. Alfie and AJ’s extraordinary work warrants the highest recognition, making them worthy recipients of the PDSA Order of Merit.”

Alfie’s career

English Spaniel Alfie qualified as an Arms and Explosives Search Military Working Dog in April 2011 and worked with the Number 4 RAF Police (Typhoon) Squadron until 1 July 2017, when he retired from the service. 

During his exceptional career, Alfie completed over 600 hours of operational searching, resulting in four, live high-profile finds of arms, ammunition, explosives, and bomb making equipment. Alfie’s finds included two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), designed to cause maximum casualties.

AJ’s career

Labrador AJ joined the Number 4 RAF Police (Typhoon) Squadron in 2014 and spent six years working as part of the team. He conducted over 1,000 search hours, resulting in eight live high-profile operational finds of arms, ammunition, explosives and bomb-making equipment.

AJ located four Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and buried bomb-making equipment. Everything that AJ found could have posed a threat to Armed Forces personnel, Police and public safety.

Distinguished Records

Both Alfie and AJ’s records were the best in their field for the number of search hours, searches and operational finds. During their active service they were highly regarded by their peers in the Royal Air Force Police & Security Squadron.  

After both successfully completing six full years of active service and thousands of search hours between them, Alfie and AJ are now enjoying a well-deserved retirement.

Award reaction

Provost Marshal (RAF), Group Captain David Wilkinson, said: “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. They are a credit to the Royal Air Force.

“It’s a huge honour for Alfie and AJ to be awarded the PDSA Order of Merit. To have their actions recognised in this way is truly fantastic and I am immensely proud of everything they both achieved.”

Alfie and AJ take the total number of PDSA Order of Merit recipients to 32 animals, including 12 horses and 20 dogs. The medal was instituted in 2014 and recognises animals who display outstanding devotion to their owner or wider society, above and beyond normal companionship – and represents an exceptional example of the special relationship that exists between animals and humans. It is widely acknowledged as the animal equivalent of the OBE. Find out more information about previous PDSA Order of Merit recipients.  

PDSA’s Animal Awards Programme was instituted in 1943 by the charity’s founder, Maria Dickin. She believed that, if animals were recognised for their heroic actions, it would help to raise their status in society, ensuring they are better treated. The charity continues this legacy today with the world’s leading Animal Awards Programme.

PDSA provides a vital service for pets across the UK whose owners struggle to afford treatment costs for their sick and injured pets. No pet owner should be faced with losing a beloved pet because they can no longer afford to pay for treatment. For many vulnerable pets, PDSA is there to help when there is nowhere else for their owners to turn.