Page 430 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
numbers was restored. The RAVC, in leading this project was able to make yet another positive and sustainable contribution in post-war Iraq.18
By October 2004, when WO2 Martyn Thompson RAVC deployed from 102 MWD Sp Unit in Sennelager to Iraq, TMWDSU had become TACOM to the Rear Operations Battle Group (ROBG) – the Royal Dragoon Guards (RDGs).19
At this time, under the terms of UNSCR 1546, MND(SE), in close partnership with ISF and civil authorities, the role was to neutralise AIF (Anti-Iraq Forces) and, in parallel, support the development of a robust, self-reliant and creditable Iraqi security capability. This, ultimately, was to allow the Iraqi government to defeat the growing insurgency.
In the Editor’s Note of Chiron Calling winter/ spring (2004/5) attention was drawn to the contrast between what the teams found on arrival in Iraq and what had been achieved in a short space of time in theatre:
Much had changed since the initial Op TELIC deployment; the real estate and infrastructure we currently occupy is testament to the hard work and persistence of previous command teams who have ensured our MWDs are as well catered for as could be expected in this environment.
All MWDs have adapted well to the extremes of climate and this can be attributed to the planning, design and layout of the current kennel system. Further training was provided to all handlers concerning heat-related illness and the writing of suitable instruction covering all aspects of heat-related injures meant that there were hardly any issues concerning this potential problem. The judicious checking of kennels and the dogs housed therein during the heat of day and after task ensured the welfare of the MWDs was maintained to the highest standards at all times.
At this time the Unit now occupied an area to the rear of the main Guardroom by the main entrance point to SLB. A combination of ISO and field kennels, the Unit held nineteen MWDs at Shaibah with the capacity to house a further three at the port at Umm Qasr if necessary. TMWDSU was at this date totally manned by twenty two Army personnel. Eight posts were filled by RAVC soldiers from 102 MWD Sp Unit, the remaining fourteen posts were provided by twelve E2 Protection handlers, and there was also a clerk and a storeman.
The inception of the Interim Iraqi Government (IIG) saw all Units’ roles as taking on more of a defensive stance; planned searches were still conducted however
18 Extracts taken from ‘Hearts and Minds in Basra’ Chiron Calling Summer 2004.
19 Op TELIC 5 by WO2 Martyn Thompson RAVC dated 17th January 2005.
20 Editor’s Note from Chiron Calling Winter 2004/Spring 2005.
these were, as a rule, conducted in conjunction with the Royal Engineer Search Advisor (RESA) and other associated agencies. The remaining specialist assets were utilised across the AO providing support to all Units within the Multi National Division (MND) South East (SE). Protection dog assets were based primarily at SLB but also provided support to the port at Umm Qasr, the airport at Basra and to field firing camps conducted in the region of the Rumaylah oil fields.
The round-up also included the notable tasking that was achieved by a number of AES and Tracker dogs. LCpl Jenny Chester RAVC and her AES Dog “Bonnie” deployed forward in support of the Black Watch Battle Group immediately prior to the American assault on Fallujah. LCpl Chester and Bonnie were rushed to Camp Dogwood following the widely reported deaths of three soldiers in a road block suicide attack. This incident resulted in a review of Operational procedures, after which cars were stopped a 100-yards before a manned check point and occupants told to get out of their vehicle. Troops then waited as the LCpl and her dog went forward to ensure that the vehicles were not carrying explosives at which point she could give the go ahead to the to the infantry to let them pass.
A Black Watch Officer was quoted in a national newspaper saying that the AES teams: “... are an incredible and useful asset. Explosive Search dog handlers are very dedicated and brave people and their presence on Op BRACKEN was invaluable.”20
LCpl Charlie Bates RAVC and his Tracker dog “Dexter” had a very successful track following the discovery of a fence breach in a joint QRF/ TMWDSU Op which resulted in the arrest of two individuals, who were charged, went to trial and sentenced to five years imprisonment in an Iraqi jail. The whole legal process took only 48 hours – an example of swift justice. VS taskings were numerous, comprising searches on the heavily fortified main gate in support of the RDGs, with both Snap and Eagle VCPs in the local AO.
The MWD Advisor, SSgt Martin Smith RAVC, who had returned from Afghanistan brought a great depth of knowledge and experience to Iraq and worked tirelessly to further improve the standards of MWD teams in theatre. Even the more experienced teams struggled with the different demands that the environment placed on them. The routes had no hedges and sometimes no defined boundaries. Some areas were full of rubbish, excrement, oil, chemical spills, feral dogs
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