Page 467 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
higher. The deterrent of a Protection dog roaming around the harbour areas adds to the safety of the personnel against these small insurgent groups.
Overall, Ex PRAIRIE STORM 1 was a successful exercise. It allowed both new handlers and dogs to experience a different type of warfare and expose them to such a large-scale battlegroup. With more time on future PRAIRIE STORMS and opportunity to sell the under- standing of our capability, I believe 1 MWD will prove themselves an asset for the armoured infantry during conventional war fighting.32
In the autumn of 2019, a small number of dogs and handlers were given the opportunity to be put through their paces in the heat and dust of Africa as part of Ex ASKARI STORM 19 in Kenya. Pte Molly Shaw, 104 MWD Sqn was one of those fortunate few, as she describes here for the spring 2020 issue of Chiron Calling:
Ex ASKARI STORM 19 – 4
In October 2019, an observer mentor, four MWD teams and a driver from 104 MWD Squadron deployed on Ex ASKARI STORM at the British Army Training Unit Kenya for a nine-week exercise. The MWD teams consisted of three Protection and one AES team.
We were attached to two battle groups: 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland and 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards. Our task was to provide MWD support to the BGs FTX (Battle Group Field Training Exercise) and challenge MWD teams to be battle ready in a hot arid environment.
When we arrived in Kenya, we heard that there would be three parts of the exercise:
First phase: Live firing phase.
Second phase: 2 SCOTS FTX.
Third phase: COLDSTREAM GUARDS FTX. Before we could go anywhere, we had to start
with eight days of acclimatisation for both the handlers and dogs. This initially started with gradually increased road walks which helped the dogs a lot as their bodies were getting used to the heat. We then carried out simple CT sessions and scenario-based training to get them used to working at a faster pace in the heat.
Following the MWDs’ acclimatisation, we deployed onto the live firing element of the exercise phase. This was a week long and gave us the opportunity to conduct battle inoculation with the dogs. This helped us to get our dogs used to the sound of gunfire in an unfamiliar
32 Chiron Calling dated Autumn 2019. 33 Chiron Calling dated Spring 2020.
environment. We also carried out capability briefs and demos of the Protection and AES capabilities to both exercising BGs, answering any questions they had. This gave both BGs an idea on what our dogs can do and how to best deploy us.
Between live firing and the FTX there was an opportunity to attend a three-day multi activity AT package which consisted of white-water rafting, kayaking and rock climbing. The handlers who attended really enjoyed it, particularly the thrill of white-water rafting.
The final four weeks was the FTX spilt down into two phases of two weeks for each BG. We lived in the field with our MWDs for the duration and were tasked by the exercising BG. This included patrolling sentries, infantry patrols, guarding captured persons and public order in villages with local Civ Pop – we were utilised a good deal in this area and hugely relied on to control the crowd. The AES team searched the villages once the infantry had attacked and secured them.
Overall, I enjoyed this Exercise; it was a fantastic opportunity and experience for both handlers and the dogs. It was amazing to be on an overseas exercise in an environment with wildlife that I may never have otherwise seen in my lifetime – safari on Exercise is an unbelievable experience!
It was extremely beneficial to be a part of a large-scale BG Exercise and to provide MWD support to two very different Infantry battalions. We were able to use our knowledge and practical skills in a realistic and harsh environment. It was good that all MWD teams were used in different scenarios during the final exercise giving every handler the opportunity to test their abilities.33
Lt Col Kay Hanson RAVC – July 2019
A significant milestone for the RAVC took place in July 2019 when Lieutenant Colonel Kay Hanson RAVC took command of 1 MWD Regt.
Speaking on the occasion of her appointment, Colonel Hanson said: “It is an honour to be given such an opportunity. The Regiment is truly unique and offers a much broader capability than most people realise. We support everything from Phase One training to specialist duties and Operations around the globe. To be able to influence the direction the capabilities go, whilst changing perceptions and cultures, is a big responsibility.”
When asked what makes the Regiment so special, Colonel Kay replied: “Without doubt it’s the people we have, and the teams they build with their dogs – because they are great too. But
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