Page 460 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
the majority of the Sqn took the opportunity to tan on a party boat, complete with inflatables.
Following Authorisation Phase was the FTX (Field Training Exercise) Phase during which all elements of the C-IED Task Force were assessed in their respective disciplines. The Search Teams and their MWD assets were thrown a hefty mix of search taskings including ten-liners and deliberate Ops. Other MWD classifications were also tested via DS led scenarios within the MOB (Main Operating Base) and at Forward Operating Bases (FOBs). The veterinary team were tested with both scenario and real-time clinical problems. One of these was a particularly difficult case of fever, which resulted in the dog in question being bedded down in the medic’s tent for a while. Luckily, the medical staff were quite taken with the dog and very kindly agreed to share their air-conditioning with her!
One particularly entertaining moment (on reflection of course), was an IDF (Indirect Fire) drill during evening O-group. After initial smoke was thrown, SHQ personnel (the only ones left in unit!) moved to evacuate the kennels. Despite being mostly made up of non-dog handlers, this went rather smoothly. Ensuring all dogs were removed at night in the smoke was not easy. It was particularly difficult for Sgt Dan Martin who was somewhat restricted as a result of donning Capt Emma Jude’s body armour by mistake!!
By the time End Ex was called, everyone was ready to get home and wash the sand out of their hair – dogs included! Although it still took several days to pack away the unit and collapse our footprint, the journey back was without event and we arrived safely back at Chiron Lines, keen for a shower and a celebratory drink.22
There were opportunities to ensure safety on home shores too:
During mid-2015, MWD teams from 1st MWD Regt (RAVC) supported 33 Engineer Regiment (EOD) on Exercise DRAGONS FLIGHT where personnel conducted an intricate search of a Tri-Star aircraft whilst working alongside many other agencies at Stanstead Airport. The task was part of the ongoing effort to introduce troops to varied demands of contingency Operations while exposing them to an unfamiliar and testing environment.
As the Regiment continued to involve itself in home and overseas activities, by 2015 there were already changes ahead.
As part of the Army 2020 restructuring process, three Hybrid Sqns 102, 104 and 105 – comprising
a balance of both Regular and Reserve personnel – were reconfigured in 2015.
101 Sqn was re-roled to form a Reserve Sqn in early 2015 and this Sqn relocated to North Luffenham from Puckridge Lines in late 2014. The Regiment’s HQ, moved to North Luffenham in the summer of 2015.
The final Army 2020 (Amended) Implementation Order was issued on 22nd May 2015 which set how 1st MWD Regt was to support Commander Land Forces. Essentially it stated:
“1 MWD Regt is to provide MWD and veterinary capabilities in support of operations.”
From this time, it comprised a Regimental Headquarters (RHQ), five Regular MWD Squadrons and supporting departments. The order outlined 1 MWD Regt would be reorganised into three MWD Hybrid MWD Sqns, two Reserve Sqns, a Troop in Cyprus and supporting depts. In accordance with the Secretary of State for Defence Parliamentary Army Basing announcements of 5th March 2013, 1st MWD Regt would conduct Unit moves to be based at St George’s Barracks, North Luffenham when infrastructure is available, which was said to be at first unlikely before summer 2017.
However, during 2017, 102 and 105 Sqns also returned to NL. 103 Sqn formed 103 HQ and Sp Sqn at the same time in 2015.
The entire MWD Regiment, (although the second Reserve Sqn was never formed, the liability being transferred, to form an EOD Regiment), is now currently based at North Luffenham in Rutland, (less Cyprus Troop), the UK components were, at the time of writing (2021) being considered for a re-base to Kendrew Barracks (formerly RAF Cottesmore) during late 2022.
Despite the echo of change rattling away in the background, the force and influence of the Military Working Dog capability forged ahead.
All of this exposure to new working environ- ments stood the MWDs in good stead for deployments overseas, where even the ground under their feet was far from familiar. A report in Sapper Magazine brought to life the challenges of Ex SHAMAL STORM 2016, to which, despite heavy commitments, the group deployed in excess of two hundred personnel keen to take full advantage of the fantastic training environment in Jordan.
The Exercise offered excellent integration and inter-operability with an embedded US EOD Team as well as German and Lithuanian observers and signals conducted with Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF).
22 Chiron Calling dated Autumn 2011.
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