Page 435 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
Unit also managed the MWD Battle Casualty Replacements (BCRs) and acted as a staging post for MWDs before their return to UK, in addition to providing 3rd and 4th line veterinary support to TELIC.
The deployment provided an interesting and diverse range of tasks and administrative duties including the planning and preparation of deployments for Op SINBAD – a reconstructive and consent-winning initiative for Basra. Also, the implementation of Op CANIS, the name given to the humane destruction of feral animals on British military bases. It was for the Battle Group Force Elements and RAF personnel who completed it, with training and in conjunction with detailed policy and guidance. The Op rose out of the argument that the neutering of feral animals in some cases benefitted the troops’ morale and, if neutered, would create a stable population and, at the same time have a practical purpose in reducing the number of rodents roaming the bases. Of course, there was a contrary view that in any country where Rabies is endemic within some of the native species, no feral animals should be tolerated within a static camp. This evergreen argument appears wherever British troops are based in any part of the world.
In many ways the planning of the complete move of the RAVC from SLB to the COB at Basra International Airport, was perhaps the most challenging of the tasks. It certainly created some difficulties for those who failed to appreciate the needs of MWDs and the technical accommodation required to support all facets of MWD capability.
Op TELIC 10
September 2007 saw 102 MWD Support Unit again deployed in support of Op TELIC 10 – ably led by Captain Claire Budge RAVC, supported by nine RAVC personnel handling dogs, or in other capacities such as VTs.
Much remained the same in the COB, however IDF attacks were becoming more frequent. The first brief handlers received were on the new drills for inevitable IDF assaults. Equally, the new ‘bed space’ arrangements were altered from previous tours; this time it was a breeze block built cave, covered with a three-inch Kevlar sheet and, to top it off, a steel plate with a heap of sandbags placed on top. The mattress, positioned on the floor the total height of the entire cave was about 2 feet. Tasking remained vaguely familiar to most who had gone before. However, the Protection dog handlers were, instead of patrolling in the COB at
all times, providing protection for the hastily set up Manoeuvre Operating Groups (MOGs) deployed with large convoys to provide protection when in a leaguer to deter locals from approaching the troops.
This was a deployment that saw several close calls; one handler was fortunate to survive a substantial IDF attack. Pte Jen Yarwood had followed the new IA drills closely and so, as the mortar struck the hard standing, some 20 metres away, she evaded injury – her infantry coverman was less timely and received a large shrapnel wound to one leg. During one IDF incident, twenty seven rockets were in the air at one point, all of them aimed toward the COB.
LCpl Debbie Caffull RAVC, on loan from 104 MWD Sp Unit, was incredibly lucky when travelling in the rear of a Bulldog vehicle, with her Search dog. A grenade, hurled at the Bulldog by insurgents miraculously landed on LCpl Cafful’s Bergen, which was stacked just above everyone inside. As the grenade detonated, a storm of ball bearings rushed into the belly of the vehicle injuring many of the occupants. Thankfully, the explosion was not at ground level and no lives were lost. However, Debbie received injuries to her neck and was returned to the UK to recover. Unphased by the experience, a few months later she deployed on Op HERRICK. A true testament to LCpl Cafful’s bravery and determination.
Op TELIC 11
104 MWD Sp Unit, very fresh from NI, via North Luffenham joined Op TELIC 11 and on 25th March 2008, (less than 2 weeks after their arrival) witnessed the ‘Battle of Basra’ which commenced when the Iraqi Army launched Operation CHARGE OF THE KNIGHTS to drive the Mahdi Army militia out of Basra. The Operation was the first major Op to be planned and carried out by the Iraqi Army since the 2003 invasion.
For the TMWDSU this created an increase in the tempo of Strike Ops in the City in support of cordon and search Operations. The security situation in the City of Basra was heavily threatened by the militia; the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) initial attempts to impose security were ill-planned, poorly co-ordinated and on the whole unsuccessful. Assistance from MND (SE) and the US military was therefore requested to bring the city under control. A positive consequence of this was that the scheduled Force reductions were put temporarily on hold.
Subsequent Operations went well as the ISF, aided by Military Transition Teams, conducted
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