Page 517 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
spring 2012 issue of Chiron Calling:
Experiences of a Provincial Reconstruction Team
Veterinary Engagement Team70
LCpl Stacey Frost and Vet, Captain Emma
Jude, together we make up Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team’s Veterinary Engagement Team (PRT VET) – an impressive job title, the only problem is that it took about a month to understand what it was the PRT VET is meant to do!
The PRT VET for Op HERRICK 15 has been given the task of capacity building the Provincial government’s livestock and veterinary departments in Helmand. We are also trying to encourage better coordination between this Provincial department and central livestock and veterinary departments in Kabul and with private para-veterinarians running veterinary clinics in the districts.
After a fantastic handover in September, we said our goodbyes to 103 MWD Sqn, including their ‘famous’ vet team, Captain Jo Holmes, and Cpl Emma Ford, who had become almost weekly stars of television and radio during their six-month tour. Captain Emma Jude, however, was soon giving Capt Holmes a run for her money in the fame stakes...she is already a big star back in the UK, due to her amazing performance on Lorraine Kelly! This was followed by a stint on Smooth FM where she also managed to rope in the assistance of the Vehicle Search dog handler here, Pte Mark Kilgour. So, when she’s not busy signing autographs or posing for photos she can be found in our office in the Civil Military Operations Centre (CMOC) building, which we share with the Military Stabilisation Support Team (MSST), or her other office in the PRT, surrounded by civvies!
Regular meetings at provincial offices, with key Afghan personalities and Non-Governmental Organisations take up much of Captain Jude’s time. Meanwhile, I have become a media expert, drawing on my knowledge of media studies from college and a newfound knowledge of animal, and poultry husbandry, in particular, to produce posters, radio programmes and Bluetooth serials on animal health and care.
We have both managed a few trips out and about. So far we have visited goat farms, poultry farms, various local government departments and a few checkpoints, FOBs and PBs along the way. Captain Jude has also managed to swing a couple of trips to Kabul. I have been on numerous trips
to and from Bastion taking young cats to get the treatment all the males, dread! Although there is a strict no-mascot policy in theatre, we find that by castrating and vaccinating a few cats, they act to keep other cats away; it also helps to keep the mice down.
I have just returned from R&R so I’m feeling all refreshed and ready for the second half of tour. But unfortunately for Captain Jude, she still has another two months to push. However, we have Christmas to look forward to, and we have already started to decorate our office with decorations sent from the family and friends back home. Our plans for the big day so far are a Christmas film, Christmas dinner and a day off from the gym... so not too different to the usual Christmas Day at home, except for the lack of booze, obviously!
The above slide/bar chart clearly demonstrates the growth of the MWD capability during Op HERRICK.
Op HERRICK 16
This period saw the largest increase in the number of Military Working Dogs deployed on Op HERRICK – Specialist dogs leading the way. The following article by WO2 Al Smith RAVC, celebrates this watershed moment for the Corps and puts all HERRICK activities into context:
Aldershot to Afghanistan – 101 MWD Sqn H1671
Op HERRICK 16 – May 2012 to October 2012 – saw the largest increase in MWD capability in recent years.
Mission Specific Training72 started in earnest in September 2011, when the Sqn took part in numerous FTX/CFX Exercises and most importantly Ex Pashtun Links, the EOD Authorisation training in Jordan. Jordan was an excellent opportunity to test the Sqn’s specialist handlers and dogs in demanding conditions against a backdrop of wider pre-deployment training.
70 Chiron Calling article Spring 2012 ‘Experiences of a Provincial Reconstruction Team Veterinary Engagement Team’ by LCpl Stacey Frost.
71 Chiron Calling article Autumn 2012 ‘Aldershot to Afghanistan’ 101 MWD Sqn H16 by WO2 Al Smith RAVC.
72 Mission Specific Training Soldiers undergo rigorous training in preparation for operations. Mission Specific Training focuses on the immediate operation
that they will deploy on and emphasises elements particular to the environment, such as culture and language, as well as field skills.
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