Page 485 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
in order to support the HTF activities throughout the Area of Operations. Handlers were deployed at Camp Bastion, Kabul, Lashkar Gah and Gereshk.25 Planning in Germany was well in hand for the second tranche of 102 MWD Sp Unit to replace Sqn personnel during September 2007.
The United Kingdom Task Force (UKTF) Relief in Place (RIP) commenced 10 days later and was completed during late April 2007. MWD capability demonstrations were given by TMWDSU personnel to the main Battle Groups (BGs) during the RIP. With the RIP ongoing MWD tasking appeared slow. Camp Bastion 2 (BSN 2) was under construction and due to be occupied on 1st July 2007 offering an expected capacity of 1000 troops, plant, equipment and stores. This presented a new requirement to patrol BSN 2 with Protection dogs from early in June when a request for additional handlers to patrol the one-kilometre square area was identified and staffed.
The role of the TMWDSU at this juncture is summarised below: Protection. The primary role of patrol dogs in theatre was to patrol BSN1 and 2. BSN1 consisted of Regimental lines, accommo- dation, Engr Park, Med Gp, civilian compounds, Temporary Holding Facility (THF), super kitchen, BFIs, HLS, Joint Operational Command and Temporary Landing Zone (TLZ). There were no ‘air aware’ issues patrolling the TLZ. BSN2 was
currently under construction. TMWDSU then had four patrol dog handlers which patrolled BSN1/ TLZ during the silent hours. Patrol handlers also provided support to specific operations forward. To accomplish this TMWDSU had a patrol matrix that covered a six-day cycle. Each matrix ensured a 100% check of the perimeter, visiting each manned sanger, but without setting a pattern. Each night the route and timings varied. TMWDSU realigned its patrol matrix to provide the additional FP at BSN2. All handlers patrolled with the very heavy Osprey body armour and helmets. Other patrol tasks included crowd control at the Main Entrance Point (MEP) whilst LECs were escorted off camp. Manoeuvre Operations Group (MOG) in the Lashkar Gah (LSK) area, clearance patrols of FOBs, random patrols of FOBs, ‘cut offs’ in support of VCPs and part of a protection group while on foot patrols.
Specialist taskings, VS Teams provided a deterrent and searched vehicles entering Camp Souter at KBL, LSK, GSK and BSN1. VS Teams assisted on MOGs, interdicting EF, MOGs lasted five to seven days in duration. VS Teams commenced searches of civilian aircraft landing on the TLZ from 5th April 2007. The annual “poppy harvest” was underway and would last until mid-May occupying most young men of fighting age in the community. This was expected to last
The aerial photograph shows Camp Bastion 16th March 2007. (Note the TMWDSU is directly opposite the new Main Entry Point to the top right of the image shown by the arrow).
25 AFC 2118 dated March 2007.
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