Posted on 07/28/2007 1:13:57 PM PDT by SandRat
Members of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, currently deployed in Iraq, are helping their colleagues to fulfil crucial roles that share many of the risks undertaken by conventional 'teeth arms' units.
Personnel from 102 Military Working Dog Support Unit based in Germany deployed to the Contingency Operating Base at Basra earlier this year to work with dog handlers from RAF Police and other Army Regiments.
Prior to deployment, members were given intensive preparations to enable them to cope with the operational conditions and unexpected situations. This included being able to fulfil tasks whilst under fire or deal with potential bomb attacks.
Tasks for the specialist dog handlers include Arms Explosive Search and Vehicle Search, both vital roles enabling the improved safety of operational troops on the ground.
Although many of the soldiers from Royal Army Veterinary Corps currently deployed in Basra have served previously in Iraq, a number of them were experiencing their first deployment:
"As this was my first tour upon joining the RAVC I was very apprehensive and did not know what to expect," explained Private Daniel Hawes.
"I hoped that all my training back at my unit would equip and prepare me for life out in Iraq but I do not really think that any training can prepare you for life out here, especially working out on the ground with your dog because you will never know what your dog will do in that moment in time, but as long as your skills and drills are tight then nothing should go wrong."
The initial challenge for team members when they arrived in theatre was to ensure the smooth merger with the RAF Police Dog section while maintaining an effective operational capability at the newly formed Contingency Operating Base as well as migrating all elements from Shaibah Logistics Base.
The combination of knowledge and experience from both units led very quickly to a diverse and multi-skilled unit enabling the new and relatively junior members to rapidly learn new techniques and methods.
The additional tasks that keep members of the unit active include guarding and patrolling. Private Alex Wright explained:
"As well as doing strike operations we are also at the main gate making sure the locals behave, guarding the ammunition supply point and patrolling the wire at night.
"We have also acquired our own Snatch vehicles (Armoured Land Rovers) so we can now provide our own transport," Pte Wright continued.
"This is better for us, the dogs and of course the soldiers who now don't have 90lbs of beast and 42 shiny teeth on their lap.
"Being here in Iraq is not as bad as I thought, I miss my family but it is a pretty good experience, especially coming straight from training to out here was probably the best thing that could have happened."
Pte Daniel Hawes concluded:
"Working with dogs in theatre is like nothing else - this is where you learn your trade properly. It's where you see the dogs really perform well in their job and it makes training and working with dogs all worth it."
WOOF WOOF is right....Dogs are the greatest...
Excellent story on the many jobs a dog has, even serving the USA.
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