RNZAF Security Forces

There are plans to expand the MWD unit due to the purchases of new P-8 Poseidon and C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.

The Military Working Dog unit is a specialisation and personnel are selected for this role once they have completed at least two to three years as a Security Forces Operator.

However, this proved to be an inauspicious start for the new trade that ended with the Air Security deployment being the subject of a court of inquiry.

This inquiry found severe organisational and management problems stemming from a lack of leadership and resentment towards the amalgamation of the two trades.

[1] Underlying issues of direction, focus and responsibilities continued to dog the new trade for several years.

After initially completing the RNZAF Recruit Course, successful applicants then move on to Security Forces training which is conducted at RNZAF Base Woodbourne, where personnel learn advanced ground defence, physical fitness, patrolling, camouflage and concealment, bushcraft, survival techniques, base security, weapons, CBRN, and instructional techniques.

After two years posted to a unit and completion of the Security Forces Specialists course, Operators then obtain an increase in classification (moving up to LAC), and are redesignated as Security Forces Specialists where team members may move into Military Working Dogs if selected.

There is also the option to be posted to the RNZAF Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape (SERE) training Centre, and specialize in this area.

In the center is the Ruru in flight, grasping a Powhenua (traditionally a defensive weapon) in the ready position.

Air transport security missions and VIP flights aboard Air Force aircraft are a regular occurrence and exercises overseas have seen many team members of Security Forces travel extensively, both in New Zealand and throughout the world.

Usually a corporal will command a four-man operational Security Forces team with a leading aircraftman (LAC) acting as the 2IC.

A RNZAF Force Protection corporal in 2011
ASP 21" tactical baton in expanded and collapsed states.