Page 8 - RAVC Centenary Parade

Singapore
dogs, Malaya 1948/1960-65 with Combat Tracking Teams, IP and Protection dogs, Cyprus 1955-59 during the Eoka Campaign where the Arms Explosive Search (AES) dog evolved, Aden 1960-68, IP, Search and Patrol dogs.
Army Dog Unit NI RAVC - the ‘ADU’ formed due to ‘the Troubles’ in Northern Ireland; during April 1969 personnel from the RAVC Training Centre and the RAVC Tactical Dog Troop at Aldershot were requested to provide guard dogs to assist in the security of the Internment Camp situated at Long Kesh. As ‘the Troubles’ escalated, it was obvious to Commanders that both protection and specialist dogs would play an important part in the fight against terrorist activities in both urban and rural environments.
Over 250 Hong Kong Chinese handler’s wearing the RAVC cap badge were employed handling Sweep dogs, Tracker, and AES dogs assisting with internal security in the Colony throughout 1979- 1996. The Bosnian War from 1995-2005, saw the use of Explosive Detection dogs (Mine detection), Vehicle Search (VS), AES, tracker and Patrol dogs. Later again in the Balkans the Kosovo War during 1999-2003 saw VS, AES, Drug and Protection dogs. The second Iraq war in 2003 saw numerous RAVC handlers deploy with AES, VS and Patrol dogs. Afghanistan 2002 until 2014;
with a vast variety of highly trained search dogs, thwarting the use of Improvised Explosive Devices, saving the lives and limbs of our nation’s soldiers.
During Gulf War One an RAVC a Veterinary Officer who was responsible for the water purifying plants that supplied safe water to our troops. During the Falklands War, a Veterinary Officer assisted the government in restoring its animal health regime and an RAVC Sergeant provided much need knowledge on the use of Pack animals. RAVC Veterinary officers and Veterinary nurse’s have provided veterinary care for all deployed animals as well as assisting in other pioneering work over the years for the benefit of our animals both in peace and war time. Indeed, during the foot and mouth outbreak in 2001, the present Chief Veterinary Officer was part of the team who advised the government.
During these recent conflicts the RAVC have been awarded seven Peoples Dispensary for Sick Animals – Dickin Medals for the outstanding work that the military working dogs have undertaken.
The operational demand for Military Working Dogs has seen the RAVC increase in size by 500% in the last decade resulting in the formation of 1st Military Working Dog
Afghanistan
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MELTON MOWBRAY / FRIDAY 27 JULY 2018