RAF Will’s so proud of his dogs of war

AN RAF policeman from Shaw has only one regret about his deployment in Iraq — that his job in the Middle East is coming to an end.

Sgt Will Barrow (42) is currently in the war-torn country with the Tri-service Military Working Dog Support Unit (TMDSU).

In the UK he’s a RAF police dog handler but in Iraq his duties include overseeing and advising on the security for the Contingency Operating Base at Basra international airport, as well as co-ordinating the staff on the TMDSU.

Sgt Barrow said: “Keeping the dog teams at their optimum operational efficiency with a wide variety of tasks, has made this an absolutely satisfying tour so far.

“The fact that my tour may be cut short due to the handing back of this region to the Iraqi administration soon is actually a downside to this deployment.”

As the mission in Iraq reduces, ending a 19-year RAF commitment to the region, so the security work required also diminishes.

But a lot depends on Sgt Barrow and his team getting it right — including the dogs which form a pivotal part of the security team.

The former Royton and Crompton School pupil does miss his family though as well as his own dogs — and an occasional beer.

He sent messages through the Evening Chronicle to his family: “I am missing you loads and I will be back soon” — his friends: “The beers are on you when I return” — and UK citizens: “Keep up your support for our Armed Forces.”

Sgt Barrow has been in the RAF since 1984 and has served in many locations worldwide, including Germany, Belize, Northern Ireland, the Falkland Islands, Bosnia, Afghanistan and Canada.

He is proud of the fact that he has been on operational tours in every year from 2000-2009, carrying out a wide range of security-related duties.

He said of the tours: “The bonds that form while working with military dogs and their handlers certainly make it a pleasure to come to work.”