Page 14 - Chiron Calling Spring 2017

12 CHIRON CALLING
As a brand new Private Soldier posted into 102 MWD Squadron I was eager to experience a full Squadron level exercise, especially with all the different speci cations of Military Working Dog (MWD) that we could deploy with. The exercise was the perfect opportunity to combine and improve my military green skills that I learnt in Phase 1 training and my newly gained MWD skills of Phase 2 training. I was excited to deploy with my MWD, Sara, and experience how she worked under eld conditions.
The aim of the exercise was to deploy 102 MWD Sqn to Sennelager Training Area and to simulate being deployed into an urban environment. The second part of the exercise also involved the inclusion of 101 MWD Sqn (Res), who came in to join 102 MWD Sqn and also to enhance a close working relationship between the Squadrons for any possible future deployment. This opportunity also enabled the Reserves to hone their skills as MWD handlers in a eld environment. The soldiers and MWDs were put through their paces over a ten day period, being tested in a variety of scenarios, both at day and night. The constant activity and increasing pressure through the exercise ensured that the deployed troops were tired, yet always working on the principle of looking after our dogs before ourselves.
Throughout the exercise we were all tested on our eld skills, through tasks with their respective sections. This included a round-the-clock patrol programme covering the local village and surrounding countryside, a constant guard duty of the Sangers and gate of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) and
102 MWD Sqn entering the village
102 MWD Sqn at the re-org
Exercise Chiron Alliance
By Pte Hoyland – 102 MWD Sqn
a quick reaction force to respond to any contact or situations in the vicinity of the FOB. There was never a dull moment during this exercise; with the constant threat of Indirect Fire and other attacks on the base, we had to keep prepared and ready to react at all times. The exercise also enabled the soldiers to deploy their MWDs into real life like scenarios, testing their teamwork as well as their capabilities and standards.
Following a night time approach march, the exercise came to a peak with a Sqn level attack on a village compound in the early morning. The attack included the deployment of various speci cations of MWD to secure and search the area. Protection and vehicle search teams were used to secure the perimeter, allowing Arms Explosive Search Dogs, Improvised Explosive Device Detection Dogs, Police and High Assurance Search Dogs to search the compounds. The scenario ended with the controlled explosion of a suspect device and a rapid withdrawal under contact from the area. On arrival back in our FOB location and thinking that the exercise may be over, we found ourselves coming under heavy attack from the village. Rapidly adjusting from our rural assault we then conducted a full village clearance operation to nally end the exercise.
This exercise was a huge learning curve
102 MWD Sqn with MWD Flex escorting a detainee
for many in both Sqns, especially the newer members like me who have only just been posted straight from Phase 2 training. Although constantly tired and being physically exerted, I learnt a great deal and increased my understanding and application of military skills, tactics and how they can be combined and enhanced when deploying MWDs. I also gained a lot more knowledge on the capabilities and standards of ef ciency when the MWDs are out in the eld and reacting to life like scenarios.