Page 14 - Chiron Calling Autumn 2019

Farewell to Lt Col Neil Lakin RE
Lieutenant Colonel Neil Lakin, Royal Engineers relinquished his appointment as the Commanding Officer for the 1st Military Working Dog Regiment in North Luffenham in July 2019 after two successful years in Command of the Regiment.
Colonel Neil Smith, the Chief Veterinary and Remount Officer thanked Lt Col Lakin for his tenure in
command of the Regiment and also presented him with an RAVC memento which will remind him of his successful time in command at North Luffenham.
Lt Col Lakin was also invited as a honorary member of the RAVC Association by the Association Chairman, Lt Col Chris Ham. We wish Lt Col Lakin and his family the best in the future.
12 CHIRON CALLING
Op FACULAR – Edinburgh
From July 30 to August 26 Pte Almond, Cpl Canavan and LCpl Richards were tasked for the month to provide a search party at Edinburgh Castle and Pollock Halls during the Military Tattoo festival. Edinburgh Castle hosted the performances every day throughout the month of August. Pollock Halls was the accommodation in which the musicians, both military and civilian, from all over the world were located.
Whereas Cpl Canavan and I were tasked from 30 July through to 10 August for the first stage of our tasking, LCpl Richards took over from Cpl Canavan to complete the second half of the month, which was right through to the last performances.
Our main task each day was to search the priority areas of the Esplanade, the VIP lounge and seating areas. As opposed to searching an outdoor area mainly, we considered this a great opportunity to be searching a diverse outdoor and indoor venue. On Saturdays we would conduct double searches, as our second search was in between the shows which consisted of under the Esplanade and the seating area in time for the second round of audiences arriving. From there we would make our way to Pollock University Halls where we would search the coaches prior to them ferrying the performers and musicians.
I personally found this to be a good break for myself and my military working dog (MWD) Izzy, especially as we have been a team for a little over a year and a half now and this is our second time working on Op Falcular together.
Our job was to provide extra security and a visual deterrent along with the Royal Military Police (RMP) within Edinburgh Castle. It was also a good opportunity to showcase our capability working next
Pte Almond Post search of the VIP Lounge and Seating area
LCpl Richards & Pte Almond watching the Military Edinburgh Tattoo Performance
to other members of the Military Service Police in the RAF and Navy.
Throughout the month of working on Op Falcular, we also found ourselves with ample opportunity to get some training done with the MWD’s during our down time from live shows, and this proved an ideal time to keep the dogs active and focused in preparation for our live searches.
I feel that Op Facular allowed me to gain even more experience with my MWD Izzy, it also afforded me an opportunity to conduct searches from a different perspective. Best of all, we also had the chance to have the tourist experience and enjoyed some down time, visiting Edinburgh castle and saw the Fringe festival street performers which was taking place during the same time as the Military Tattoo. We also enjoyed a hike up Blackford Hill to admire some beautiful views, besides the boundless exercise for both handlers and dogs.
I hope to get to experience working at the Military Tattoo again next year. My MWD Izzy and I had a wonderful month practising our skills while working at the Tattoo, speaking to members of the public
LCpl Richards Post search of the Esplanade
and showing them how well trained and agile our MWD can be. A lot of interest was shown from people wanting to join the Army.