Page 239 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
bushcraft and survival skills. The training enhanced the physical, mental and environmental prepar- edness of our soldiers. Each element required self-discipline and physical strength – particularly when running and pushing the sledges. Courage was a quality called upon regularly throughout the ski joring and sledging – at night. Overall, the Exercise was a deemed a success.22
It was a success, not only because it provided good training but also because it allowed the Corps to assess how dogs work in a hostile climate. Lessons were learned and several paragraphs were submitted for the re-write of the Dog Training Manual. Major Chris Ham added to his DAVRS update: “Going back to the question ‘why’ this Exercise was vital because there was an increased likelihood of deploying outside the core regions of Europe and the Middle East. Through the process of continuous improvement and adaptation, we will ensure our Dog trainers are ready to deploy where needed in a timely manner. Prepared for the task.”23
Many other less informal exchanges between overseas armies were completed through this decade, for example the OC 102 MWD Sp Unit, Chris Ham arranged for two handlers from Germany to attend a winter Dog Course with the Swedish Army in Luleå in Northern Sweden from 28th January – 15th February 2006.The aim of the exchange was to allow the soldiers to experience the day-to-day kennel routine and training of the dogs in a cold climate. By the end of the course the soldiers had proven their ability to administrate both themselves and their dog in this extreme environment.
One subject the two youngest handlers had to endure was a lesson taught to every Swedish soldier in case, at any point, they became immersed in water, as LCpl Craig Woodall RAVC explained in a presentation: “This technique is used to prevent the person drowning, as in most cases it is not the shock or hypothermia that kills them it is the inexperience in controlling their body under the extreme conditions. During this lesson the handlers were taught how to control their own body by not speaking for approximately one-minute and controlling their breathing. The majority of inexperienced people automatically gasp and hold their breath and this is the point where they take in water which causes drowning. To prove to staff that you are in control of your body the soldier is requested to ask for permission
to leave the water. After completing this course, I feel that I have gained enough knowledge about the colder climate to help me if I found myself in these conditions. I feel that if you are given the opportunity to attend this course you would learn a lot of useful information and training techniques currently not covered within the RAVC for these types of conditions.”24
The wide-open spaces presented by AFB Lackland in Texas became just one of many other informal visits made by the Corps. Arranged again by OC 102 in Sennelager the visit to Texas was in response to their use of the Unit facilities when purchasing dogs from the European continent. It was completed with the full support of the chain of Command and personnel were flown to the USA via ‘Space A’ flights, the US equivalent of the UK’s ‘Indulgence’ flights.
Cpl Jake Barker RAVC, shared his experience of AFB Lackland in an article for Chiron Calling following his exchange trip to the States in March 2005:
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
– 102’s US Exchange Program
“Cpl Barker, are you up to going to the States for a few weeks to work with the Americans?”
“Erm... let me think for a moment or two Sir...OK!”
Well as I’m sure many of you readers know, 102 MWD Sp Unit, (formally 1 DASU) has had close links with the US dog trainers from Lackland Airbase for many years now. These links had been formed when they come over and used our facilities to procure potential MWDs from all over Europe. It has often been wondered by the troops – why isn’t there an exchange program with the Americans? So, pushed by Major Chris Ham (OC 102) and Lt Tom McGillicuddy (341st Sqn AO), the exchange was launched.
It was Maj Ham’s intention to establish a cheap exchange trip so they could happen throughout the year. This was to be done by flying “Space-A” (which is, effectively, hitchhiking) with the USAF, and by being accommodated in the homes of the permanent staff of the DTS (Dog Training School).
So, on 15th March 2005, Sgt Andy Strange and I found ourselves at Ramstein Airbase in Southern Germany, wondering why the ‘plane we were supposed to be catching wasn’t showing on the departures screen... and so began the adventure.
As I briefly explained earlier, we were flying the “Space-A” flight system, which is there for the American military personnel and dependants to fly between air
22 Chiron Calling dated Summer 2003.
23 DAVRS’ Study Period RAVC Dog Trainer Update 21st – 22nd October 2004 Head of CEG PowerPoint.
24 Winter Dog Course Lulea Northern Sweden PowerPoint Presentation by LCpl Craig Woodall RAVC.
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