Military dog finds furever home with best friend

Military working dog, Malinois Drak, was officially partnered with his handler Leading Aircraftman James Reid when they graduated their military working dog basic course together in 2020.

CAPTION: Air Force military working dog handler, Leading Aircraftman James Reid from 1 Security Forces Squadron, and retired military working dog Drak, at RAAF Base Williamtown. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan. Photo byLeading Aircraftman Kurt Lewis.

After Drak retired from service recently due to an unexpected injury, he found a new home with his ex-handler (now fur parent), Leading Aircraftman Reid from 1 Security Forces Squadron at RAAF Base Williamtown.

Air Force’s military working dogs are generally bred at RAAF Base Amberley, but on occasion dogs may be sourced from domestic or international sellers. Drak originally hailed from Slovakia.

Entering the Air Force’s military working dog program in 2019, Drak was quickly deemed by his handler to be friendly, having a very social personality and an endless working drive.

“We balanced each other out. Drak has always been high energy, high drive and a very powerful Malinois who is always looking for something to do. I am a lot calmer and more patient,” Leading Aircraftman Reid said.

“He’s taught me a lot of lessons, not just about training and handling dogs, but also lessons on patience, frustration, self-control and setting expectations.”

Since entering the Air Force in 2019, Drak has had an action-packed career. He has represented his furry colleagues and the Air Force proudly at open days, community engagements, exercises, air shows and other community-facing events.

A career highlight was the Avalon Air show in 2023, where Drak and Leading Aircraftman Reid performed displays for large crowds of interested audiences.

Leading Aircraftman Reid said Drak loved a pat and that he would do anything for someone to throw him a ball. He also admitted that, like any dog, Drak can be naughty.

“He will steal and destroy items like street cones, fire extinguishers, even the odd office chair. Pretty much anything he can get his mouth around and drag away is fair game, in his eyes,” Leading Aircraftman Reid said.

“But when the job [was] on, he fell back on his years of training and turned into the land shark that won’t stop until it’s over. He’s always been a dependable dog and never let me down when I needed him to do his job.”

When asked “what’s next?” for his furry companion, Leading Aircraftman Reid described a quieter life in the comfort of their family home.

“He is currently living his best life at home with my partner and I, along with our chocolate Labrador, Beau. Hopefully many years of adventure are ahead of us,” Leading Aircraftman Reid said.

“I have enjoyed every opportunity I have had with him, and I have a lot of great memories and satisfying accomplishments from our time working together.”

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