Page 521 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
days for the entire fleet. The percentage days lost was just 0.8% MWD days lost for veterinary issues.77
105 Military Working Dog Squadron Medal Pa- rade – Op HERRICK 1778
By Pte Jasmine Barron
After returning from tour, two weeks flew by and soon it was time to head to Maidstone in Kent for the EOD and Search Task Force Medals Parade.
We all gathered the night before for a brief on the next day’s events. Parade day saw us getting up at 0600 hrs to move to Invicta Park Barracks for the start of the rehearsals, where we saw some interesting takes on drill. It was a cloudy and very windy day, and expecting rain, but it turned out nice for the event in the end. Soon everyone got into the rhythm, the band arrived and with the bass drum banging away, everyone’s feet started to move in time.
After a quick break, the families started to arrive and began to fill the stands. The Task Force was called to fall in by the RSM for what was to be the last time Op HERRICK 17 EOD and Search Task Force would be formed up together.
Those who did not have a medal were called to stand on the front column and others to the rear. As the RSM marched us on, the band played and everyone in the audience was cheering the task force onto the square. You could tell everyone felt really proud of what they had achieved on tour and the success story of Op HERRICK 17. We were stood on the square for what felt like an eternity as the senior officers did their rounds, handing out the well-deserved medals and chatting to the recipients. After a few short speeches by the VIPs, we were marched off the square with everyone cheering and clapping.
We all met up with our families and took them straight to the entertainment that was laid on for us. The accomplished musician, Jools Holland, is an honorary Colonel of the Engineer Regiment and rumour has it that he put a generous amount behind the bar for all to have a beer on him. Loads of stalls were laid on and free ice cream from the BFBS van. Everyone had a very good day with sight of our well-deserved leave for next couple of weeks.
Op HERRICK 18
104 MWD Sqn – HERRICK 1879
By Major Ian Razzell RAMC
With the Olympic commitment for the squadron a fast fading memory, autumn 2012 led quickly into
winter and a full range of CFX, FTX and final Mission Rehearsal Exercises, both with the deploying brigade, but more importantly for us, the Explosive Ordnance and Search Task Force (EOD and S TF) under the RHQ of 11 EOD Regt RLC (Didcot).
Exercising in Jordan with a range of MWDs allowed us to shake out the capability of the groups, establish Battle Rhythm with our RHQ and critically, experience the type of terrain and conditions we could expect in Helmand. Successful completion of the Exercise series led straight into Christmas and New Year leave before the early departure of the Squadron Second in Command (Tom Roffe-Silvester) and approximately 40 MWD teams.
Hot on his heels about four weeks later, I deployed with the balance of around 50 MWD teams and on arrival, we were swiftly moved through the RSOI package before formally taking over from the departing 105 MWD Sqn (under the command of Major “Tommo” Thompson MBE RAVC). It should be recorded that 105 did us proud; a superb handover from a dedicated and professional organisation who set us up well for our own seven-month tour.
Soon after their departure, we were quickly pleased to see teams licensing quickly under the watchful eye of WO2 (SSM) ‘Geordie’ Cunningham and his dedicated team of Trainer/Maintainers including Sgt Gav Drury, Cpl James Hewitt, Cpl Hayley McConnachie, Cpl Tammy King, Cpl Caleb Kirby and Cpl ‘Griff’Griffin. Around the same time, we asked Sgt Dave Doble to swiftly switch roles and fill the gapped SQMS position for the tour – which he achieved with real success. Preparation however was now the watchword, with a MWD training estate in Bastion rated second to none; all the teams were able to achieve considerable periods of harness time and took the opportunity to train hard with their MWDs prior to the deployment.
All too soon the deployments started, and the squadron quickly fanned out across Helmand in support of the EOD&S TF and 1 Mech Bde. Achieving high levels of success in Search and Secure, it was encouraging that the tasks we were asked to support were not just routine, but structured, considered and agreed during the planning cycle. The three pillars of MWD support – C2, Veterinary support and the MWD teams, were key to this process and very early on in the summer we were able to witness the high degree of understanding from commanders on the ground as they considered the use of MWDs in a broad range of activities.
R & R seemed to start almost as soon as we arrived, but it was a good idea to take time out and focus on friends and family for a short period as they were so diligent in their support throughout the tour. Herrick 18
77 105 MWD Sqn EOD& Search Task Force Op HERRICK 17 Presentation 4th July 2013.
78 Chiron Calling article Autumn 2013, ‘105 Military Working Dog Squadron Medal Parade – Op HERRICK 17’ by Pte Jasmine Barron.
79 Chiron Calling article Spring/Summer 2014, ’104 MWD Sqn HERRICK 18’ by Major Ian Razzell RAMC.
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