Page 452 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
As part of Op ENTIRETY these changes were to be met from within current resources and were reversible, if necessary, within five years. Full delivery of C-IED TF was pending additional funding from the Planning Round, at which stage the C-IED TF would become a permanent core capability.
The initial restructuring for the RAVC Regiment was completed at a nil liability cost, which resulted in a suboptimal regimental structure to begin with. A further review was conducted in 2011 and this resulted in a further liability of forty-three personnel being granted to meet the ongoing Operational requirement and enable a more coherent Regimental structure.14
From their respective bases where they supported Operations, 101 Sqn, (previously 101 MWD Sp Unit at Aldershot, 102 Sqn, (previously 102 MWD Sp Unit at Sennelager), 104 Sqn, (formerly 104 MWD Sp Unit at North Luffenham, (following ADU NI RAVC), and 103 Sqn formed on 5th April 2008, and also, 105 Sqn formed 1st April 2009, located in Sennelager.
The amalgamation of the five independent units, and a small detachment in Cyprus (previously CMWD Sp Unit), created 1st Military Working Dog Regiment (Royal Army Veterinary Corps). A brief resume of the MWD Sp Units at that time were:
101 MWD Sp Unit, (part of 101 Logistic Brigade), provided patrol and specialist dogs and handlers for security and EOD tasks both in the UK and on overseas Operations. It had a liability of fifty-three RAVC personnel and further kennels were built in 2008 at Gallwey Road. 101 Sqn moved to Puckridge Lines to a purpose new built kennel complex in February 2013.
102 MWD Sp Unit, (part of 102 Logistic Brigade), could trace its origins back to 24th October 1945 when the Army Dog Training School moved from Belgium into the whole of Theatre Barracks up to the range gate of the Sennelager Training Centre. During the 1970s, the Unit was renamed from 1 War Dog Training Unit to 1 Army Dog Training Unit with a further name change again in the 1980s to the Defence Animal Support Unit Germany. It endured numerous other name changes during its tenure in Sennelager, culminating in its subordi- nation to 102 Logistic Brigade in April 2004.
On 1st August 2007, 104 MWD Sp Unit, (part of 104 Log Sp Bde), was re-rolled and re-named reflecting its new function – supporting expedi- tionary Operations. 104’ based at North
14 Op KITCHENER outcome dated early June 2011.
15 Oral testimony Lt Col Martyn Thompson MBE RAVC CO DATR 2nd April 2021.
Luffenham, reconfigured from the Army Dog Unit Northern Ireland RAVC when that Unit closed on 31st July 2007 due to the NI Peace Process and the cessation of Op BANNER.
103 MWD Sqn formed on 5th April 2008 and 105 MWD Sp Unit formed in April 2009 in Sennelager to manage the growing need for RAVC handlers to further support Operations.
And so, 1st Military Working Dog Regiment (Royal Army Veterinary Corps) was formed on 26th March 2010 in order to best force generate MWD and to enhance Whole Fleet Management of both MWD handlers and MWDs.
The Unit lines in Germany were renamed ‘Chiron Lines’ – as it resided within Normandy Barracks. Chiron Lines and Vires in Varietate (Strength in Diversity) came into being on the formation of the Regiment.15
1 MWD Regiment from the beginning:
1st Military Working Dog Regiment (RAVC) under command of Lieutenant Colonel David Thorpe, formally took command of the five MWD Squadrons on 5th April 2010 and the Regimental Headquarters were established in Chiron Barracks, Sennelager in the current MWD footprint.
The new Regiment, comprised of some two hundred and eighty-four soldiers and Officers and around two hundred Military Working Dogs, continued to be based in three locations in the United Kingdom and Germany. Its official primary operational role being: –
The support of the lead Brigade in Afghanistan with the provision of Protection and specialist Military Working Dogs and veterinary support to the Command. Military Working Dogs are a force multiplier and a key counter insurgency and counter improvised explosive detection device (asset) unmatched by scent detection technology.
Also, to provide a diverse set of assets to assist in the full spectrum of military functions. It was to continue to play a leading role in searching and helping to search routes, buildings, and vehicles in Afghanistan.
Additionally, to help guard and patrol key instal- lations to assist in the development of enhanced base security and provide a range of other capabilities wherever they are needed in the Rest of the World.
The Veterinary Officers were to continue to maintain the health of the MWD fleet and offer further support both to deployed troops but also to families at the home base.
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