Page 277 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
During 1990, two annual camps and six training weekends were planned.
Previously, training had covered annual tests, and included instruction of the new SA80 Rifle, LAW 80 and Lynx helicopter and Warrior fighting vehicles. In November 1988 members of the Unit participated in several Exercises and soon gained the respect of user Units by their enthusiasm and expertise. Consequently, they were in great demand as they acted as the Hunter Force on Ex IRON HAMMER.8
The TA had previously also participated in Ex TRIPLE OFFER guarding Key Points as well as participating in Ex PLAIN SAILING, a large-scale Field Training Exercise (FTX), in September 1989.
In recognition of the great strides forward being made by the Unit, on March 16th 1990, the Director General Territorial Army and Organi- sation, Major General D M Naylor MBE, visited BAOR and presented Cpl Graham Taylor with his Sgt chevrons on promotion. Such recognition prompted Brigadier Durrant to comment on his continued confidence in the RAVC TA Unit and his hope that it would soon be fully recruited and have a bright future. He continued to say that: “the speed at which the new ‘Terrier Force’ had roared into action, so soon after its launch, took all the organisers by surprise”.
It was confirmed that RAVC TA were to act as section commanders trained to take over certain RAVC responsibilities and assist in the handling of military dogs, wherever they were required in BAOR, working alongside other Units. During TTW, handlers would, as previously agreed, be assigned to designated KPs. Of course, one of the significant advantages many of the TA handlers had was that they knew the security requirements and the duties and were also familiar with the dogs’ individual behaviours and characteristics.
The added plus point, was that handlers could be mobilised quickly. And proof of this came in September 1986 on Exercise ETERNAL TRIANGLE,9 when an opportunity arose for the RAVC Continental TA to be validated against the Operational role of the Unit. It would also confirm the value of TA dog teams when it came to releasing specialist regular personnel from their guard duty task, therefore allowing the Regulars to conduct their primary role.
The Unit was put through its paces in the Exercise, the facts of which were included in an RAVC presentation in 1986:
Eighteen dogs handled by the TA, and supervised by
RAVC TA NCOs, demonstrated the use of TA Troops in guarding military installations and KPs. The dog teams were deployed to provide covert patrols for 176 Heavy Battery RA at locations which redeployed every 24 hours. Lengthy night patrols were conducted at Static locations of 51 Ordnance Company RAOC.
The approach of civilians and enemy forces and reconnaissance activities were frequently detected and reported by the dog teams. In all cases the dogs and their handlers allowed the stretched manpower of regular troops to continue working on their technical functions and also get some rest. There was no doubt the high profile of the dogs deterred local German civilian interest as well as deterring the enemy from entering the wire perimeters.
After the Exercise it was concluded that the use of TA dog teams in guarding military installations in the field and KPs, provided an additional asset to a local Commander. Once again it was an example of releasing scarce specialist manpower to their primary tasks. One dog and handler can have the detection capability of an entire infantry section. Dog teams adapt readily to austere field conditions and, if carefully selected, are tactically proficient in both overt and covert guard tasks, providing enhanced detection capability and, when engaged overtly, significantly enhanced deterrence.
The RAVC TA dog teams were a great bonus to the defence capability of Regular troops and should always be included in the orbat of the Units they assist. RAVC TA soldiers and their dogs were rapidly deployed and played a vital and cost-effective role in Exercise ETERNAL TRIANGLE.
During this particular Exercise, Continental TA handlers also acted as interpreters for German farmers on behalf of the RA Battery Commander. They also guarded a KP – a Nuclear Ammunition dump – patrolled Bulk Fuel Installations (BFIs) and dispersed agitated crowds of CND protesters at the BFI.
The following year TA handlers also participated in Exercise KEYSTONE, a major BAOR Exercise held during 1987. Exercise KEYSTONE provided an opportunity for the United Kingdom-based 2nd Infantry Division to practise its operational role in BAOR in conjunction with elements of 1st British Corps and troops from Belgium and the Federal Republic of Germany. Some nineteen thousand soldiers travelled to BAOR for this Exercise, of which some twelve thousand, five hundred were members of the Territorial Army. The Exercise demonstrated not only their commitment and enthusiasm but also their professionalism and expertise, which enabled them to fulfil a front-line
8 Extracts taken from Chiron Calling November 1988.
9 TC/A 309 dated 26th January 1987. Animals in Home Defence RAVC Presentation at Eastern District Study Period 3rd – 4th December 1986.
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