The New Zealand Defence Force has given their working dogs flying lessons - kind of.
It wasn't quite teaching old dogs new tricks, more like re-training them on dealing with flying in helicopters.
Military working dogs coordinator Sergeant Jeremy Drummond says it was a great chance to get the dogs and their handlers a refresher course.
Leading Aircraftman Te Rina Naden and Chase leave the aircraft (NZDF)
It gets the dogs, which are used for search and rescue, tracking and force protection, comfortable with being airlifted into difficult terrain.
Sgt drummond says it will also lessen the amount of stress the dogs feel during such an operation.
After a pre-flight safety briefing at the RNZAF Base in Auckland on Friday, each team was winched aboard an NH90 and then winched off again.
The dogs are trained to get used to being on board the NH90 (NZDF)
As well as the NZDF, the dogs are also used by police.
Newshub.
