MWD handlers and their dogs from three ministries test their abilities in challenging conditions at 13 Mech Bn Levice premises

Under the guidance of the SVK Military Police, a total of 25 military working dog (MWD) handlers and 30 MWDs from across the Defence, Interior and Justice Ministries have been testing their abilities to work in challenging conditions at the 13th Mechanised Battalion Levice premises over the past two days.

On Wednesday (20 October 2021), the MWD handlers, who work with search, drug detection and patrol dogs, tested their abilities and the skills of their four legged colleagues. They exercised in demanding conditions in the closed spaces of a military underground shelter and in the motor pool area during the normal operation of the Battalion. The assigned tasks put the MWD handlers and MWDs through their paces.

The next day saw the MWD handlers and their MWDs conduct specialist searches for explosives and locate different quantities of planted narcotics and psychotropic substances. The MWDs had to cope with an unusual environment, insofar as they conducted sweeps of vehicles while these were being maintained.

Director of the Military Police Col Valentín Cebo gave his assessment of the joint training activity, saying: “We believe the training has been beneficial to all those involved and it will strengthen their ability to promptly adjust themselves to a new unfamiliar location, because quick and right reactions remain at the core of actions by both MWD handlers and MWDs.” Col Cebo thanked the SVK Armed Forces and Commander of 13th Mechanised Battalion Levice Maj Marián Golis for his maximum support and for making the Battalion premises and equipment available for the training.