Page 518 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
Unfortunately, once more the air support assets to enable realistic training did not always materialise. Therefore, each morning we would wave off our MWD teams as they waited patiently at their respective HLS...until the four-tonne truck arrived to take them away to their future remote locations.
We were almost the first Sqn to have a ‘real’ release in Jordan. Whilst on patrol in the early hours one morning, Pte ‘Mickey’ Greenhalgh detected movement and suspicious activity in the area he had been tasked to protect. Surging forward he discharged a robust challenge to the individuals lurking in the darkness... The Estonian EOD were so upset they needed to be consoled and diplomatically reminded that early starts and visits to the ASP need to be reported – prior!
Jordan wasn’t all work. The troops had an opportunity to get away to visit Petra and all spent a day in the desert at Waddi Rum. All the Sqn members enjoyed this. It was an excellent opportunity to let our hair down, relax and watch LCpl Charlotte Wilson demonstrate belly dancing to the professionals brought in to entertain!
Back in the UK and settled back into Aldershot, the E2 Search handlers began to arrive. Quickly overwhelming the small location where 101 Sqn reside, the number of kennels was too few for an ever increasing number of dogs. The local MGS (MOD Guard Service) assisted us, temporary kennels were built, and soon every office or working space was occupied by handlers. In addition to the large number of E2s, the Sqn was joined by 24 Royal Air Force Police Handlers, many of whom we knew from their time at the Defence Animal Centre. They quickly settled into Sqn life and remain an integral part of the Sqn.
MST was stressful, it’s often been said that Sqns are glad to get on Ops if only to escape the relentless pre-de- ployment training. Given the additional E2 handlers late arrival, this complicated matters further. In the weeks that followed, we juggled weapon trg, COIN lectures, PT, Ground Sign Awareness and more COIN into ever shortening days!
All too soon, we were on our way, departing early for a mid-morning flight which was delayed until midday. Arriving at RAF Brize Norton, we made our way to the cargo hangers and began to sort the large number of dogs and freight. The Sqn made the decision to take the scent imprinting bricks which had been used success- fully. Two pallets of bricks utterly confused the load crew who could not make the connection between MWD and building materials!
After a long and smelly journey with 44 MWDs packed into a C-17, we arrived at Al Udied Air Base for a stop off. Informed by the officials we met there that this was an unusual case, we were taken, under close supervision, to a large tent. There we were formed-up and told that anyone found crossing a yellow line
would be arrested immediately and would face lengthy immigration procedure. Telling this to Squaddies was not advisable. The next hour passed with numerous soldiers bragging of how they had beaten the restriction. The onward leg was shorter, and we were soon met by OC 102 Sqn and his team who welcomed us to Camp Bastion. We were lucky to arrive on a “day off ” training and so could rest before starting RSOI.
After waving off 102 Sqn, we settled into routine. The huge number of IE3D teams required an immense effort from our Trainer and Maintainers. Sgt Dave Rea’s team of Cpls Lino Woolfe, Amy Jane Harrop, Lee Taker and Steve Coulcher worked long hours in getting this capability up and running. Assisting them were four US Field Service Representatives from the company supplying our BEEK and two additional trainers from the UK. All of these have done an outstanding job. Dedicated to the task, they have provided support under pressure of an unrelenting schedule. The specialist dog handler’s heroes also cracked on with their own build-up training which was made easier by having previously authorised in Jordan. A quick overhaul of the training area and the excellent compound that TMWD Sqn possesses resulted in all the teams being validated quickly.
The goats held by the Sqn have provided excellent training value. Now nicknamed ‘HASG’ one of them has developed a talent for finding buried devices itself and uncovering them, much to the annoyance of the training team when they come to work each morning!
The chicken fleet also provided training value. These hardy birds soon learnt that the specialist handlers living with them were safe and didn’t pose a threat... but were caught out as one strolled perilously close to a tethered Protection dog that couldn’t believe its luck!
The handlers validated in a steady stream, with the Sqn reaching full validation on 8th June with handlers departing Camp Bastion for their new locations. To some, this came as a shock, to others a surprise at how the same location has improved since their last visit. With kennels at almost every location and the numbers of dogs now in theatre, it is commonplace to find MWD handlers wherever you visit.
Workloads varied; the IE3D, AES and VS handlers are persistently in demand. The HASD teams have fallen prey to the wider “transition” mentality of operations; with EOD teams handing their capability over, the demand for specialist handlers had fallen dramatically. That said, when they have been used, they have had some excellent successes.
TMWD Sqn is now fully integrated into the EOD & Search Task Force. The TF has soldiers from 19 different units within it and 13 different cap badges in TMWD Sqn alone.
It would appear that the most difficult task we had as a Squadron was to get into the ‘ATR’ Bastion way of life.
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