Op Tosca: Regs and reservists share vital role to maintain 50 years of peace in Cyprus

In the same year that marked 50 years of UN peacekeeping in Cyprus, hundreds of British regulars and reservists are coming close to the end of their deployment on Operation Tosca.

Two hundred and forty-four British soldiers, the majority from 71 Engineer Regiment, are stationed at the 180km-long Green Line buffer zone between the Republic of Cyprus and the so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Their objective was to maintain the peace.

For many of them, this was their first deployment, and the Op Tosca medal will be the first of their military career.

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"This is the first time I have deployed as a soldier in general, and it's also the first time the veterinary corps has deployed on Op Tosca which is really exciting for us," said Private Charlotte Billington of 101 Military Working Dog Squadron.

"As a 101 reservist squadron, it's also the first time we’ve deployed at all as soldiers. So it's really exciting.

"It's been nice to get to know other people with being attached to the engineers, and just meeting new people and learning new skills."

During their time in Cyprus, troops have got to know the local history and have even taken it upon themselves to look after the local wildlife, mainly made up of stray cats.

The reservists have played their part during the deployment, and for many of them, this is the first time they have donned the iconic blue UN peacekeeper beret.

During their time in Cyprus, troops patrol the buffer zone and maintain the peace between the Greek and Turkish populations who live on the island.

This hasn't always been an easy task, and last year British soldiers clashed with Turkish Cypriots, resulting in three requiring hospital treatment.

Sapper Rosina Groves-Moat of 71 Engineer Regiment, who only completed her basic training a month before her deployment, said: "My main role out here is to patrol the buffer zone. So I walk up and down these places constantly.

"If someone said Cyprus to me I'd think holiday destination, sunny place to go.

"It's been a real eye-opener and I think it's really important to bring that back home and let people know what we're doing here."

As the tour concluded, troops collected their well-deserved medals on the runway of Nicosia's now-abandoned International Airport.