Page 513 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
approach generated an Improvised Explosive Device Detector Dog (IEDDD) capability from two US contractors. Without an equivalent RAVC or RAFP dog handler capability, the USMC selected Marine Corps handlers from their deploying Brigade Combat Teams for training by the contractors. Later the Marine Corps sought to produce a more cost-effective sustainable support solution for the longer term; the FMS contract being so expensive. The chosen option required enhancements at the DAC but, nevertheless, the option still offered the best value for money while filling a critical capability gap.
The Op HERRICK capability was trained in the US, fielded direct to TFH and handled by E1 personnel drawn from the RAVC and RAFP. There was no opportunity for Mission Specific Training (MST), so integration of the capability occurred in theatre. The initial training solution had to be delivered by a US contractor, both for the IE3D and IE3D handler; the DAC simply didn’t have the capacity to provide this in such a short and demanding time frame. But of course, the challenge of meeting the delivery deadline had a high price tag. While the solution was met, the ‘through life costs’ were estimated at nearly £48k per IE3D in 2012. The decision to procure a Commercially Off the Shelf (COTS) product, negated the need for the DAC to train the IE3D and their handlers.59
IE3D was not intended to replace IED DETECT capabilities in the Corps arsenal; it was only considered as a supplementary tool used to increase the level of assurance that Vulnerable Points (VPs) and Vulnerable Areas (VAs) were free from IEDs during the conflict.60 IE3D provided a crucial component of the C-IED layering concept that proved successful on operations, thereby enhancing Force Protection (FP) measures. There was also significant utility in the use of IE3D to assist in the conduct of compound searches, however it was always to be noted that IE3D was to be used in ‘addition to’ and not ‘in place of’ searchers with search equipment.
The other MWD search types in constant use at this time were the recently introduced, but none the less successful, High Assurance Search Dog (HASD), which provided a ‘standoff’ search capability, ideal for countering the prevalent Low Metal Content (LMC) threat.
Capable of searching VPs, VAs, routes,
compounds and HMC areas, this capability operated in conjunction with an Advanced Search Teams (AST). Arms Explosives Search (AES) Dogs provided the commander with an additional level of assurance during routine patrolling and area searches, though IE3D were considered in the first instance for patrolling.
The IE3D capability successfully closed a critical gap in the DETECT Counter Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) capability during the Afghanistan conflict. Utilising the temperament of the Labrador Retriever, the IE3D provided a ‘standoff ’ capability operating ahead infantry patrols. While the UK had developed an extremely effective HASD capability for deliberate operations with ASTs,61 the HASD was not able to meet the IE3D requirement. That was due to the methodical manner in which the HASD conducts its search and therefore its slow rate of advance and limited range. In contrast, the IE3D was a fast move detector; the trade-off for speed was assurance and why areas indicated by the dog were ‘marked and avoided’.
Detailed Tactics, Techniques and Procedures were developed during the Op HERRICK campaign and Mission Specific Training (in the early stages of the deployment of IE3D). The IE3D capability was progressively fielded; initially twenty-three IE3D teams: one per ground manoeuvre/holding sub-unit and a pool of five IE3D were held at the Theatre MWD Sqn.
As previously mentioned, it wasn’t possible to generate enough IE3D specific handlers so a combination of E1 RAVC/RAFP and E2 (other cap badged mainly infantry) handlers were selected from the deploying manoeuvre brigade. This generated the numbers required to field the capability. The selection criterion for potential E2 handlers has been long established and was therefore already in place, although the specified standard was not always being met for operations at that time. This risk was mitigated by ensuring that E2 handlers were always deployed forward and paired with an experienced RAVC handler.
Op HERRICK 14
“As the Commander I consider the use of dogs for patrols beyond my immediate radius almost as a ‘go/no go’ criteria; my ideal is that every grouping hasadog.IfIamtoldIhavenoISTARthenthisis less of a concern than if I am told I have no dogs.
When considering the Scheme of Manoeuvre,
59 Lt Col Lance G Foster REME Thesis MWD IE3D.
60 Ibid.
61 Advanced Search Team (AST). This is a six man team led by an ASA. The team is comprised of a Team Commander, a Scribe (2IC) and two search pairs
who operate with an IEDD team. The team is qualified to conduct High Assurance Search in an area that is deemed higher risk.
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