Page 31 - Chiron Calling Autum 2021/Spring 2022

Search training with the UK Carrier Strike Group
by Pte Lisa McCririe-Hallman, Cyp MWD Tp
On the 29th June 21 four handlers from Cyprus MWD Troop and two Vehicle
Search (VS) handlers from 1 MWD Regt, had the rare opportunity to conduct continuation training on board Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Fort Victoria. This was a large stores ship and fleet tanker and one of
the nine ships that comprise the United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group (UKCSG). The CSG was lead by HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier (the largest warship ever built for the Royal Navy) on her maiden 26,000 mile deployment. Whilst docked at Limassol Port in Cyprus for refuelling, the Troop were welcomed aboard the 200m long ship.
Paired with their VS MWDs,
the teams spent the morning conducting environmental training followed by multiple searches on board the ship. The first challenge encountered was to get on board the vessel, this was achieved using the gangway, a 40m-long narrow bridge which was no more than a metre wide and every step resulted in a bounce and sway. Walking up this moving bridge alone was a test for some of our most confident MWDs. Mobility on the ship was very challenging, especially for handlers with the larger VS dogs when they
were required to carry their dogs up the very steep, precarious stairs to gain access to the different levels of the ship.
Multiple sites were used for search training, including the open storage area (which was also used as a gym and for maintenance work) on deck, small office rooms and the limited-access large storage areas deep in the hull. Using a selection of different training aids, the MWDs not only had the task of pinpointing their target scents, but also had to work through many environmental challenges, including working
in tight spaces and corridors,
on unfamiliar floor surfaces and searching around moving parts including people. The biggest challenge for the MWDs in the storage rooms below deck was the continuous flow of air and dispersal of the scent from the static location.
Each dog team encountered difficulties to overcome and the handlers learnt a lot about their own dog’s response to different environments. Some of the VS handlers were less familiar with breaking down multiple areas, instead of a singular vehicle,
and they methodically worked through the search areas to ensure a successful find, in some areas allowing their dog to work off lead.
Environmental training on the lower deck
It was great to see the excitement of both the dogs and handlers working in this novel environment and the eagerness of the dogs to search.
Whilst this search training would be easily accomplished by an AES MWD, it was a great opportunity
to push the VS dogs within their specifications and encourage development within the VS Teams. This was a unique opportunity
for them to be able to search such
a large ‘vehicle’, as they would typically spend their time providing an element of force protection at the Main Entry Points of the four Sovereign Base Area Military bases on Island. Overall, the training was a huge success and was beneficial not only for the dog teams but
also the crew members who appeared delighted to see the dogs onboard their ship and to have the opportunity to interact with them.
Pte Last carrying MWD Tiger down steps
VS Teams on the deck of RFA Fort Victoria
Chiron Calling / 29