Page 426 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
Further Regular and one RAF handler arrived to bolster the security of SLB where a 15km perimeter fence was being erected. At this time, the RAVC was established in three military locations and the accommodation housing the RAVC sections was of a temporary nature. Initially they had met the necessary requirement, but Op TELIC 2’s mission was to improve the infrastructure to enhance the quality of care provided to both dogs and personnel.
So when Capt Kate Gledhill and WO2 Paul Williams arrived during mid-2003, the in theatre MWDs were housed within a large hangar with kennels being made up of wire mesh. During their tour, the unit received further self-contained MWD adapted ISO containers which were located within a reinforced aircraft bunker. In the latter stages of this deployment working alongside the NSE, the decision was made to acquire a derelict building adjacent to the SLB’s main entrance, refurbishment swiftly followed, and this disused building became a permanent MWD location consisting of offices, storage facilities, rest room, armoury and all enclosed in a secure fenced compound. And as a result, within three-months the three sites were relocated to permanent buildings. This improved facility ideally positioned the dog teams to support the necessary theatre Force Protection Measures.
In Umm Qasr, the Section was re-housed in a brick building with mains facilities. The handlers were accommodated in a new 40-foot portacabin complete with a generator, creating space for a duty room, storage room and sleeping quarters. The Basra Palace Section moved into another brick building, providing accommodation similar to Umm Qasr, except for the dogs. They were accom- modated using the Garrett portable kennelling system.10
On the welfare front, all three MWD locations received satellite TV and DVD equipment, including a weekly rotation of rental films. Books and newspapers were also supplied. Each location had an internet/satellite phone provided by Paradigm Services so individuals could phone home using their weekly free phone card worth £10. Mail and parcels received from family back home were always a great morale boost. Blueys were postage free and parcels sent from UK, up to the weight of 2kg, were also free. During the tour, many parcels were received from members of the public, including Christian charity groups and friends of the Corps. One such example was a
regular parcel of sweets and dog treats sent from an ex-RAVC dog trainer, Eric Taylor. The parcels came with a simple, short message wishing all handlers and the dogs the very best. A touching thought, which was very much appreciated by all the handlers and their dogs.
A three-month tour could pass extremely quickly, as everyone was kept busy. It was far too hot to work outside, the heat being so extreme – rising to over 50°C through to August. The daily routine had to be adjusted accordingly, and as a result personnel commenced work at 0600 hrs with everyone making the welfare of the dogs their top priority. By 1000 hrs it was too hot for anyone to work outside so routine tasks were completed in shaded areas and kept to a minimum.
At Shaibah, the Protection Dog handlers were kept very busy trying to deter local looting. Ironically, the new 15km long perimeter fence that was under construction exacerbated the problem. Looters were trying to steal whatever equipment they could get their hands on day and night, especially ammunition. The handlers routinely caught the daytime looters and then escorted them to the guard rooms. In the extreme temperature the patrolling had to be done in air-conditioned, dog-friendly vehicles. At night the handlers concentrated their efforts on patrolling strategic areas. And to maintain coverage on the ground, the teams worked in pairs, on a two or three hour rotation.
During one successful night time incident, a looter who had clearly been deterred by the patrols, decided to repeat his attempt to thieve in the early hours of the morning. While on patrol, Cpl Stu Jepson RAFP and Pte Maz Hay RAVC noticed a breach in the perimeter fence, and not one, but several sets of footprints, of which they investigated and followed accompanied by the Tyne Tees guard.11 Pte Hay’s MWD (ex-Police dog) quickly picked up the trail and led the group, some 400 metres away from the breach in the fence. Pte Hay’s perseverance and her dog’s determination resulted in the recovery of 20 boxes of ammunition (250,000 x 5.56 rounds), which had been stolen and hidden in a shell scrape to be retrieved later. It was later established that the looters had waited all night to re-attempt access to the ammo site but were thwarted by the security on the ground. It was only when the dog teams and Tyne Tees guards were stood down, at around 0700 hrs, that the thieves’ desperation drove them to try again in daylight. The inclusion of dog patrols was enough
10 The Portable K-9 Container with Kennel Run includes a Portable MWD container and an attachable kennel run. The kennel has a lockable style flap door and includes a heating and cooling system. Manufactured by Garrett Container Systems Inc of the USA
11 Part of a Territorial Army Unit that also provided essential Force Protection at SLB.
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