Museum Exhibit Opening: Sentry Dog Program

The CMPA is pleased to announce the unveiling of a new MP-themed permanent exhibit at the National Air Force Museum of Canada (NAFMC), 8 Wing/CFB Trenton, on Wednesday 29 June 2022. The exhibit, titled Sentry Dogs: Securing Canada’s Nuclear Air Strike Force, explores the sentry dog program operated by the Air Force Police and Military Police in West Germany, from 1963 to 1972, during the Cold War. This program was a critical component of the overall nuclear weapon security scheme that was implemented while the Canadian air force held a nuclear air strike role in support of NATO.

This exhibit is a partnership between the CMPA and the NAFMC, with the CMPA providing fundraising, historical research, technical advice, and hands-on diorama building support to help ensure an accurate representation of the sentry dog program. The exhibit features a full-size diorama that depicts Air Force Police Leading Aircraftsman John Anderson and his dog Olaf patrolling near a Quick Reaction Alert hangar, housing a nuclear-armed CF-104 Starfighter aircraft, at 4 Wing Baden-Soellingen in 1965.  

CMPA President Doug Boot (left) and NAFMC Curator Laura Imrie (right) hold the ribbon as it is cut by Doreen Anderson (blue dress) and Denise Rundle (facing camera). Photo: Hailey Graham/NAFMC.

The exhibit also contains two display cases with artifacts related to the handlers and their sentry dogs, as well as three information boards explaining the program and displaying various related photographs.

Former sentry dog handlers pose in front of the new exhibit. Left to right - Jim Brown, Gary Stojak, Bob Drouin, Al Jones, Wayne Kendall and Jim Britton. Photo: Hailey Graham/NAFMC.

Guests at the exhibit unveiling event included command team representatives from the Canadian Forces Military Police Group, 2 Military Police Squadron and 21 Military Police Flight (Trenton), as well as six former sentry dog handlers and the families of two now departed handlers.

As a tribute to the sentry dog handlers who are no longer with us, the unveiling ribbon was cut by Doreen Anderson, wife of the late John Anderson, assisted by Denise Rundle, daughter of the late Alexander ('Sandy') Davidson who served as a Kennel Master at 3 Wing Zweibrücken.

The CMPA is continuing to work with the NAFMC to implement phase 2 of the exhibit, a multimedia touch-screen kiosk that will allow museum visitors to explore additional photos, videos and news clippings about the sentry dog program. The kiosk will also provide information about the other two nuclear weapon systems protected by Canada's Air Force Police and Military Police during the Cold War.

Close-up of the diorama portion of the exhibit. Photo: Hailey Graham/NAFMC.

Additional coverage of the museum exhibit opening can be found in the following online news article at inquinte.ca.