Page 515 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
extremely constructive RST package. Harness time and use on Operations have also seen an increase in all disciplines with the IE3D and AES always in demand. Protection and VS are being utilised in other areas of operation and not only as FP with MOBs; this has proven to be force multiplier to the Coalition Forces and very well received. ... HASD are proving their worth time and time again...The TMWD Sqn once again have proved to be value commodity to the CFs and all who work with us.”63
Op HERRICK 15
TMWD Sqn Op Summary dated 17th February 2012.
The introduction of the Op Summary, as of 17th February 2012, stated there were one hundred and seventeen personnel on the Sqns strength and on 17th January 2012, one hundred and fourteen MWDs were deployed to theatre.
Capability. Op HERRICK OET enables the TMWDSU to provide C2 of FEs, provide limited veterinary sp, provide AES, VS and Protection MWDs and FEs to sp UKTF the Commanders intent.
“the capability [IE3D] actually sold itself once fielded and proved to be a phenomenal success”.
(Major Eddie Thompson – RE – dated 21st March 2012).
Use of IE3D Dogs. IE3D are fantastic aids in detecting IEDs, however they should not be used in isolation. If an area has been identified that requires the use of a IE3D dog then it should also be followed by HHMD.64
“Worth their [the IE3D] weight in Gold.”
(Cpl Hamilton – 5 Rifles – 29th April 2012).
“I always used an IE3D as part of my Arms Search Team. It is a great asset if used correctly and you understand what it can offer.”
(Sgt Cowan – 1 Yorks – 29th April 2012).
Operation HERRICK 15:
102 MWD Sqn Post Tour Report
Op HERRICK 15 (19th September – 21st March 2012):
The introduction and integration of the IE3D into the DCC Infantry Coy formation has been the greatest success of H15. Initially sceptical, the DCC ‘bought in’ to the integration almost as soon as the first patrol was witnessed and has since expanded to cover all AOs and
63 TMWD Sqn Op Summary dated 1st November 2011.
64 Top 3 CIED Lessons ISAF From Op HERRICK 17.
65 Op HERRICK 15 102 MWD Sqn POTR dated 21st March 2012.
66 EOD Team.
67 Annex A to Op HERRICK 15 102 MWD Sqn POTR dated 21st March 2012.
68 Quotes from TFH PowerPoint, circa September 2012.
has been utilised to great effect on a daily basis. FOC of the UOR will be complete during H16 and this will further reiterate the huge success that the IE3D project has become”.65
The report went on and summarised: “A hugely successful tour has seen the uplift in MWDs enhancing security and support to the CFs within all AOs of TFH. The out of scope use of Protection and VS capabilities embedded with CFs on the ground has paid dividends and is achievable whilst maintaining FP duties. AES continue to prove their worth and requirement on planned and strike Ops with both the BRF and CFs, so much so the up lift of a further 2 AES was submitted.
IE3D has flourished with an increase of 200% compared to Op H 14 and has become a major contributor in the fight against LMC IEDs providing an extra safety measure in FoM to the DCC Infantry.
HASD continues to be a major asset with BRIMSTONE66 call signs and their MOE proves their worth. As of 12th March 2012, thirty IE3D, twenty HASD, four AES, ten VS and nine Protection dog teams, a total of seventy three MWD teams were deployed to Afghanistan.67
Still need convincing about the dogs? Read on...68
Captain Giles Thornton FST Comd ‘WT45‘:
We’ve used the IE3D to support all the various BARMA drills, KALA and the AFGHAN SNAKE. They’ve conducted checks of VAs and VPs for us in all the environments we operate in and we’ve found them to be very useful supplement to our CIED drills as well as an extra, visible reassurance to the guys on patrol.
Captain Paul Horwood Second in Command Number Two Company:
A great asset that we have used throughout the tour. The dog brings an ability to select a route (and just as useful to discount a route) through VA’s and gives the soldiers an additional degree of confidence when moving. It allows the patrol commander to select a route through a tree line from distance and then to deploy the usual search assets (HORN/VALLON) once a suitable route has been identified. Our AO has numerous irrigation ditches and tree lines that are difficult to traverse and are heavily seeded with IEDs, and the dog asset works well in these areas.
In conclusion, a great asset that speeds up the patrol, improves and speeds up selection of routes and gives the lads additional confidence in their route.
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