Page 44 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
study programme was a regimental-style dinner, which everyone thoroughly enjoyed. While there, attendees enjoyed lessons from a Swedish Arctic dog handlers’ course, and discussing subjects such as Soldiering Skills and why they were needed in the RAVC, RAVC MWD issues in the longer term, and Lessons Learned from Op TELIC and Op HERRICK. Feedback confirmed that the event was a complete success.
An Exercise that offered study in a warmer environment was Ex SUMAN WARRIOR which was held in Australia. This was a duty that Sgt Kev Gavin had to suffer! Ex SUMMAN WARRIOR was conducted every summer between the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) nations of Singapore, UK, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand. Luckily for the UK participants, it is never held in the UK! During 2006, the Exercise consisted of four main activities: National Briefs, Map Exercise, Military Operations in an Urban Environment and Command Post exercise. Sgt Kev Gavin was employed in the Force Protection cell within the National Support Element, providing advice on all Force Protection Matters.
In contrast, climate-wise, Ex GRIFFIN FOCUS was a three-week Exercise held in West Freugh in Scotland. It was a very long trip from Germany to the west of Scotland taking several days via ferry, but it tested every element of the Unit. From the preparatory phase of organising and loading vehicles in the correct order, the long road journey in convoys to the Exercise area where the Unit played its part in all manner of scenarios with its MWD teams. There was plenty of free time built-in to allow a first-rate opportunity to complete some worthwhile Continuation Training of dogs in a completely different environment – something the handlers and dogs benefited from enormously.
Herr Heinrich Kochling:
No history of the RAVC in Sennelager would be complete without paying tribute to Herr Heinrich Kochling. In truth, for many veterans it would be a travesty not to include Heine as all members of the RAVC who served in Germany will have known him or been told about him.
He joined the Unit in 1977, his love of horses probably brought about his posting to 1 ADTU where he first met Colonel Harry Bishop. Whilst he and the CO were building horse jumps, it transpired both had a love for horses, which no doubt explains why the Colonel regularly requested Heine’s help. All those who worked alongside Heine will testify that his contribution to the Unit went far beyond his primary trade of
driving. He was always more than happy to go that extra mile to help, and this is how he will be remembered by people who met him at some point in his lengthy Service, or heard about him in an affectionate tale, right up to the vacation of all dog related formations in 2017.
Heine had some incredible stories to tell and had experienced many changes to the various dog units, whatever their designations. As well as seeing Officers and soldiers come and go, at the time of his 30-year Presentation in May 2007, he was able to recall the incumbent Unit OC, Major Chris Ham when he was a LCpl on his first posting overseas, and the Director, Brigadier Andrew Warde as a newly commissioned Veterinary Officer. At a conservative estimate Heine had seen the departure of 14 Commanding Officers/Officer Commanding during his tenure up to 2007.
Finally...
The success of the Support Units in Germany and Aldershot saw the creation of 103 MWD Sp Unit formed in Sennelager. It added to the MWD overall deployable capability, given the inevitable demand for MWDs on war fighting Operations. 103’ came into being on 5th April 2008 and were co-located with 102 MWD Sp Unit and, during 2007/2008 were deployed on Op HERRICK 9. Their focus had been on integrated training with 3 Commando Brigade and 20 Armoured Brigade. A further Unit, 105 MWD Sp Unit, was formed on 1st April 2009 in order to better meet the Operational requirement for MWD teams out to at least 2011. 105’ had a deployable strength of 52 personnel and provided 41 dog and handler pairs. There was no allocation of military clerical staff, giving an opportunity to employ local civilians in barracks to provide administrative support.
With the subsequent formation of 1st MWD Regiment (Royal Army Veterinary Corps) in Sennelager on 26th March 2010, this Chapter on the Corps’ history is concluded. The Formation of the Regiment and its success is covered in a later chapter, The Birth of 1st Military Working Dog Regiment – (Royal Army Veterinary Corps).
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